C. Warren Goldring was the co-founder and Honourary Chairman of AGF Management Limited, one of Canada's premier investment management companies with operations across Canada and subsidiaries in Europe and Asia.
A pioneer in the Canadian mutual fund industry, he pursued a long and distinguished career as a portfolio manager and influential builder in the investment management business.
It was in 1957 that Warren and his business partner Allan Manford launched the American Growth Fund (AGF). Today, AGF has evolved into an investment management company that serves over one million investors. Its Group of Companies includes AGF Investments Inc. and AGF Trust Company.
Warren first began as a portfolio manager and was responsible for managing fixed income funds. His specialty was bond investing and Warren oversaw the AGF fixed income team. In 1975, he was named President and CEO and in 1983 was appointed Chairman of the company. He became Honourary Chairman in May 2006 after handing over the reigns to his son, Blake.
Prior to AGF, he spent 16 years at the brokerage firm Fry & Co. Warren started his career at Sun Life Assurance Company where he spent four years as an Analyst assessing foreign investment opportunities.
Warren graduated from University of Toronto with a BA in Political Science and Economics, then moved to Montreal to work for Sun Life Assurance Company. In 1953, he won a Hudson Bay Co. scholarship that allowed him to study at the prestigious London School of Economics for a year.
Over the years, Warren served as former President of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts and as a member of the Granite Club, National Club, Empire Club, Rosedale Club and Ticker Club.
Warren was the author of various financial books including Your Guide to Investing for Bigger Profits (1975). He was a member of the Attorney General's Committee on Securities Legislation in 1965, which paved the way for the securities regulations we have today. He also served as the President of The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) from 1974 to 1976.
In addition, he always stressed the importance of community involvement. Some of his contributions included: Chair of the University College Committee, University of Toronto; sponsor of the Goldring Chair in Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto; supporter of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington and The C. Warren Goldring Annual Lecture on Canada-U.S. Relations; and member of the board of governors, Council for Canadian Unity.
Warren was also founding Director and Co-chairman of Operation Dialogue, a charitable organization designed to inspire passionate discussion among Canadians about what it means to be Canadian.
In 1991, Warren won the esteemed Arbor Award from the University of Toronto in recognition for his outstanding volunteer contributions to the university. In 1998, he was honoured with a Career Achievement Award from the Canadian Investment Awards. In 2002, Warren was named Entrepreneur of the Year, Ontario from Ernst & Young and received the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2003, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Toronto.
Warren is survived by his wife Barbara, his four children and 11 grandchildren. During his leisure time, he enjoyed golfing and fishing.
