Dexia Asset Management, part of the Franco-Belgian financial services firm Dexia, has appointed Christophe Vandewiele as head of its Canadian office, Investment Executive reports.

In his new Toronto-based role Mr Vandewiele is tasked with growing the firm’s asset management activities across Canada as well as leading the division, according to the report. Dexia officially launched its Canadian representative office last month.

Mr Vandewiele joined Dexia in 2005, prior to which he held a number of senior positions in financial services firms in both Canada and the Benelux countries.

Dexia Asset Management currently has C$124 billion ($120 billion) in assets under management, the publication said.

In other recent developments, news emerged last week that Paris-listed
Societe Generale is in talks to acquire Dexia’s 20 per cent interest in Lille-headquartered Credit de Norde – which also has a private banking arm, Banque Credit du Nord.

The two parties expect to finalise the transaction before the end of 2009, after receiving the necessary regulatory approval.