RBC Wealth Management, which is part of Royal Bank of Canada, has appointed Keith Pearse as head of human resources for its international arm.

Mr Pearse was previously head of human resources for RBC Wealth Management in the British Isles; his new remit additionally covers continental Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. In his new role Mr Pearse is based in RBC Wealth Management’s Jersey office, and will also join the firm’s international executive committee.

Prior to joining RBC Wealth Management in 2008, Mr Pearse was director of operations at CMS Cameron McKenna, the London-based international law firm. Before this he was head of knowledge and information management for accountants Arthur Andersen in Europe, having started his career with British Petroleum.

“Keith’s promotion aligns with the global presence of RBC Wealth Management’s business. His cross-border mandate will enable him to identify and maximise human resources business solutions that help our international wealth management business achieve its objectives and growth strategies,” said Jacqui McGillivray, vice president of human resources, RBC Wealth Management.

RBC Wealth Management has been aggressively hiring over the last year, taking on some 600 people internationally in the 12 months to June 2009. In particular, RBC Wealth Management has been engaged in an aggressive recruitment drive in the US, appointing over 270 advisors since the start of the bank’s fiscal year last November.