Infra exec joins Canadian ratings agency

DBRS, a Canadian ratings agency, has hired a managing director from Scotia Capital.

Charles Halam-Andres, whose experience includes work in infrastructure, energy and project finance, was appointed managing director of corporate credits for the Toronto-based lender. Halam-Andres had worked as managing director in the debt capital markets and infrastructure advisory groups for Scotia Capital.

Halam-Andres joined Scotia, also headquartered in Toronto, in 2008 when the Canadian investment bank launched a team to advise on infrastructure projects. Scotia has invested in an infrastructure fund managed by the Carlyle Group.

Halam-Andres previously worked at CIT and Newcourt Credit Group as a senior member of the energy and infrastructure team, spending 13 years at the firms.

DBRS is the largest ratings agency in Canada and, according to the firm, the fourth-largest in the world. Along with Toronto, it has offices in New York, Chicago, London and Mexico City. Last month, DBRS confirmed an A rating for British Columbia Ferry Services, changing the trend on the rating from stable to positive.