RBC Wealth Management adds a new division head with an eye on growth opportunities in the western US.

RBC Wealth Management has announced that it will be reorganizing its three private client group divisions into four, starting in November. The firm’s current West division will be divided into two, the firm said in a statement. The decision to regroup has been taken in order to take advantage of growth opportunities, particularly in the western US.

Colin Hawkes (pictured), currently the firm’s Pacific Northwest complex director, will become the newest divisional director, leading the revamped West division, which will span 34 branches across three complexes in Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. Hawkes, who joined RBC Wealth Management in 2023, has 24 years of industry experience and brings management experience and regional knowledge to his role, the firm continued.    

Darryl Traweek, current West divisional director, will have leadership responsibility for the newly-formed Mountain South division, comprising 32 branches across four complexes in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Traweek, who has been a leader at RBC Wealth Management since 1994, will refine his focus on growth opportunities within the Mountain South division.

Traweek and Hawkes, together with Wally Chapman, Central divisional director, and Pat Vaughan, East divisional director, plan to accelerate advisor recruiting and drive growth initiatives across RBC Wealth Management’s private client group.

“By splitting our current West division into two, our divisional directors will be better able to concentrate on growth opportunities in high-potential markets, while continuing to provide key support to our financial advisors and clients” Tom Sagissor, president of RBC Wealth Management – US, said. “Adding Colin Hawkes to our divisional leadership team will bring more support for our advisors and help position RBC Wealth Management to accelerate our growth on the West Coast.” 

Founded in 1909, RBC Wealth Management US is a subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). It supports the needs of high net worth and institutional clients by providing access to private banking, credit, investment management, asset management and other services. In the US, RBC Wealth Management has $619 billion in total client assets, with more than 2,100 financial advisors operating from 191 locations in 42 states.