Our Management

William Ritchie and Michael Burden (the GICdirect Founders) have more than 40 years experience in the banking and financial services industry. Experienced entrepreneurs and Financial Advisors the GICdirect Founders have created extensive relationships that are the foundation for the Company's growth. To date the GICdirect Founders have successfully leveraged their relationships with both clients and financial institutions to achieve double-digit year over year growth in both sales and revenues since inception.

William Ritchie, Principal

Mr. Ritchie has over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, 18 of which have been senior management roles. He started his career at age 20 with Avco Financial Services and by age 21 had been promoted to Branch Manager. As Branch Manager he was responsible for managing a $7.0 million loan and mortgage portfolio, setting and achieving annual lending targets, collections and foreclosures, and hiring and training Account Representatives. In 1989, at age 27 he was recruited by the Bank of Montreal to serve as a Senior Personal Loans Manager.

In April 1990, Mr. Ritchie joined Investors Group and was promoted to Division Manager with 17 Representatives and total client assets under administration of approximately $150 million. In 1991, Mr. Ritchie met Michael Burden and recognizing his potential in sales and marketing, recruited him to join Investors Group.

In 1995, Mr. Ritchie left Investors Group with Mr. Burden to operate as Independent Financial Advisors. Mr. Ritchie completed the Canadian Securities Course in 1997 and obtained his Branch Managers Certificate in April 1999. Mr. Ritchie is a Past President of the Avenue Association of Oak Bay, a Business Improvement Area of 30 merchants designated by the Oak Bay Municipal Council.

Michael Burden, Principal

Mr. Burden has been in the financial services industry for over 16 years, starting his career with Avco Financial Services at age 20. He joined Investors Group in 1991 and was quickly promoted to a management position as a Qualified Field Trainer working with Mr. Ritchie in the hiring and training of new representatives.

In 1995, Mr. Burden left Investors Group to operate as an Independent Financial Advisor with Mr. Ritchie. They established an office location in Oak Bay, Victoria and grew the operation to over $30 million dollars under management in less than three years.

In 1996, he served as Vice-President of the Avenue Association of Oak Bay. Mr. Burden is an energetic and tenacious individual who provides strong sales and marketing skills to GICdirect.com.