Carney brings in former China ambassador Dominic Barton to chair Invest in Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has overhauled the leadership of Invest in Canada, naming former Canadian ambassador to China Dominic Barton as its new chair.

Barton, who spent much of his career at consulting firm McKinsey & Co., will serve a three-year, part-time term. He currently chairs mining giant Rio Tinto and LeapFrog Investments.

Gurinder Grewal, founder and managing partner of MEM Growth Partners, has also been named chief executive of Invest in Canada, replacing Laurel Broten.

The changes come two weeks before Carney's inaugural investment summit in Toronto, where foreign investors and leaders of major Canadian funds will gather to discuss investment opportunities.

"Under their leadership, Invest in Canada will catalyze billions in new investments into Canada to build a stronger, more independent, more resilient Canadian economy for all," Carney said in a statement.

Barton previously chaired former prime minister Justin Trudeau's economic advisory council, which recommended creating Invest in Canada.

He later served as Canada's ambassador to China from 2019 to 2021.

Outgoing chair Karl Tabbakh will remain on the agency's board during the transition.

Broten will leave her position on September 1, nearly four years into what is normally a five-year term with no explanation was provided for her early departure.