Canada
People & Company News for December 22, 2023
- Peter Xotta has been named president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. Xotta was promoted following a global executive search process facilitated by Korn Ferry. He most recently serve as the port’s vice-president of operations and supply chain. Working with local partners, he secured funding for infrastructure projects designed to improve goods movement to and from the port. Xotta replaces Robin Sylvester, who decided to depart after a 14-year tenure in which he oversaw extensive expansion of the port. and a large uptake in container handling.
- Mervyn Lynch has joined law firm Mintz in Toronto as a partner and will launch its real estate practice in Canada. He has acted for clients on many complex commercial property acquisitions, dispositions and leasing transactions. He represents landlords, tenants, entrepreneurs, pension funds, banks, universities, developers, joint ventures, franchisors, and franchisees. Prior to joining Mintz, he co-chaired the commercial real estate group and chaired the commercial leasing practice at a prominent Canadian business law firm. Mintz launched its Toronto practice in January 2023.
- Avison Young has promoted Sheliza Dharshi to lead operations in its Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver offices. Dharshi has headed the firm’s Calgary office operations since January 2022. Also a principal, she has been with the company for 15 years.
- MaRS Discovery District has appointed Allison Nankivell as its new CEO, effective in March 2024. Nankivell previousl served as a senior vice-president of fund investments and global scaling at BDC Capital, where she was responsible for investments in venture capital and growth funds, as well as strategic ESG initiatives and global expansion. She has worked in senior investment roles at the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan and Export Development Canada, and is fluent in Mandarin. MaRS helps Canadian startups succeed so they can solve our toughest problems in areas like climate, health and the economy. North America’s largest urban innovation hub and a registered charity, it provides direct support for more than 1,200 ventures, builds communities of innovators within its 1.5 million square feet of lab and office space and beyond, and spurs the adoption of new solutions globally. She replaces Yung Wu, who is leaving the organization December 31. Krista Jones, currently MaRS’ chief delivery office, will serve as interim CEO until Nankivell arrives.
- BMO Asset Management Inc. will replace Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC as portfolio manager of BMO International Equity Fund, starting around January 9. No changes in the investment strategies and risks will be made as a result of the change, says parent BMO Investments.
- Warren Funt has been appointed to the B.C. Securities Commission. Funt formerly served as a vice-president for Western Canada for the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), which merged this year with the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada to become the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization in 2023. The BCSC’s nine commissioners serve as the BCSC’s board of directors and, among other duties, make rules (with the consent of the minister responsible for the Securities Act) and issue guidance to regulate the securities industry. As part of its mandate, the BCSC regulates capital markets that include real estate.
- Sean Warren has been appointed CEO at Toronto-based Commercial Bakeries. The move comes after left his post as CEO of GreenSpace Brands in June. Commercial Bakiers is a leading manufacturer of cookies and biscuts
