Vancouver, British Columbia, Oct. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicola Wealth, one of Canada's fastest-growing independent wealth management firms, announces two key leadership appointments that reflect the firm's continued leadership at a time when independent firms are transforming the wealth management landscape in Canada. Yannick Archambault will become President of Private Wealth and Abi Coman-Walker will become Chief Operating Officer. This leadership evolution, along with the planned leadership succession from Founder and CEO John Nicola to President and CEO-elect Chris Nicola, supports the expansion of the firm's vision and capabilities.
“As consolidation and competition reshape our industry, we continue to grow independently while attracting leaders who share our values of innovation, collaboration and long-term stability,” said Founder and CEO John Nicola. “Abi and Yannick’s experience and focused leadership reflect our commitment to both our clients and our employees as we build the future.”
Together, Abi and Yannick bring complementary experience that builds on Nicola Wealth's operational excellence and enhances its advisory capabilities. Working alongside the broader management team and Vanessa Flockton, Vice Chairman of Private Wealth, they will help advance Nicola Wealth's integrated wealth management strategy, serving high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients through personalized planning and institutional-style investing.
“Abi and Yannick represent the next generation of leaders at Nicola Wealth; these are leaders who understand that true growth comes from delivering quality, purposeful customer service,” said Chris Nicola, President and new CEO. “Their experience and collaborative approach will help us continue to grow with purpose while remaining true to what defines us: our people, our values and our holistic approach to asset management.”
Welcome Yannick Archambault, President of Private Wealth
Yannick's leadership will be critical as Nicola Wealth advances its strategy to serve a growing segment of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families seeking institutional-style investing with deeply personal service.
A seasoned executive with over 30 years of wealth management and investment leadership experience, Yannick has held senior positions at leading firms in Canada, the US and Asia, including most recently as a partner and head of the family office and private client practice at KPMG. He will oversee the Private Wealth division, working closely with advisors and partners across the country to enhance the firm's comprehensive planning and advisory expertise.
Welcome from Abi Coman-Walker, Chief Operating Officer
Abi's appointment reflects Nicola Wealth's commitment to operational excellence and scalable growth, ensuring the company's infrastructure and technology evolves in line with the expansion of its advisor and client base.
Abi Coman-Walker has over two decades of global operations and transformation leadership experience in the financial services and biotechnology industries across three continents. With a focus on purpose-driven leadership, Abi has scaled organizations through periods of growth and complexity. A leader in the 2025 BIV Top 500 in Vancouver, Abi is well known for her values and commitment to community. At Nicola Wealth, she will lead the operations, technology, compliance and asset management support functions, ensuring the infrastructure and systems are in place to achieve the company's ambitious growth goals.
Celebrating continuity and heritage
These appointments represent a thoughtful evolution of Nicola Wealth's leadership, building on the strong foundation laid by its long-standing leaders and ensuring the firm remains well positioned for its next phase of growth. Jamie Duncan, who will retire as chief operating officer at the end of the year and will continue to serve as chairman of the firm's Philanthropy Advisory Council and director of the firm's Corporate Council. Vanessa Flockton, Vice Chair of Private Wealth, continues to play an important role with a focus on client relationships and advisor mentoring, areas in which her experience and passion have always distinguished her.
About Nicola Welf
Nicola Wealth is one of Canada's leading independent wealth management firms, managing more than $17 billion in assets for high-net-worth individuals, families and institutions. With advisors in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, the firm provides an institutional-grade investment platform offering access to public and private asset classes including real estate, private equity, private debt and commercial mortgages. For more information visit www.nicolawealth.com.
