IIROC wants board members to have experience with retail investors

With Canada’s self-regulatory model facing increased scrutiny, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) has announced plans to enhance representation of retail investor issues on its board of directors.

The self-regulatory organization (SRO) has formally added experience with retail investor concerns as a criterion for the independent directors that serve on its board.

“IIROC’s close attention to retail investors’ interests is a driving force behind our desire to bring direct experience in this area to our board,” said Paul Allison, chairman of the SRO’s board, in a statement.

“We will continue to build on our progress to recruit independent directors with hands-on consumer or seniors’ experience, and look forward to enhancing this expertise,” he added.

The SRO will be adding three new independent directors at its next annual meeting, replacing three outgoing independent directors.

IIROC reported that its corporate governance committee, which nominates new directors, “is at an advanced stage of identifying potential candidates from across the country, representing diverse skill sets.”

The AGM typically takes place in late September.

IIROC’s board is composed of 15 directors, including seven independent board members, five representatives from dealer firms, two directors from marketplaces and the SRO’s president and CEO.

The move to enhance retail investor representation on the SRO’s board comes ahead of a planned review of self-regulation by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). The CSA is expected to issue a consultation paper on the subject by mid year.

James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.