Pyrford

On 2 November 2007 the Bank of Montreal announced the acquisition (subject to regulatory approval) of our client Pyrford International, a successful conclusion to a sales process in which Canaccord Genuity acted for management shareholders and Strategic Investment Group Ventures LLC, a partnership between the Strategic Investment Group (SIG) and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

Pyrford International plc is a London based institutional asset manager whose clients include pension funds, charities, endowments, foundations and high net worth individuals. It had approximately US$3 billion of assets under management (AUM) as at 30 September 2007 with client relationships in Canada, the United States, UK, Europe and the Middle East. The Company focuses on products including EAFE, absolute return and more recently, Shariah compliant investments.

Canaccord Genuity acted as financial advisor to the shareholders of Pyford International Plc.