The Canadian Investment Awards, Canada’s premier awards program, recognizing excellence in the Financial Services industry, and AGF, one of Canada’s premier investment management companies are proud to announce that AGF Management Limited Chairman and CEO Blake C. Goldring, has been named 2007’s Person of Influence of the Year.
AGF has experienced tremendous growth and success in 2007, due to Goldring’s vision and commitment to supporting investment advisors and growing the business to become an international wealth management firm. The award was presented last night at the annual Gala held at the Direct Energy Centre.
“I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the phenomenal team at AGF,” said Blake. “As an organization we set out an ambitious and strategic plan to become a premier investment management firm. We planted the seeds for future growth and, with this vision and the hard work of a committed group of many individuals we are starting to realize the results of our efforts. We kicked off our 50th anniversary year by being selected the Advisors’ Choice Favourite Fund Company of the Year and going on to have a banner year.”
“We are committed to continuing to serve investment advisors by providing them with the products they need, the value-added services they expect and the world-class investment management expertise they demand now and into the future.”
Qualifying candidates for the Person of Influence award were chosen from any area of financial services in Canada including fund management, banking, distribution, media, analysts and suppliers. The award is presented to an individual who has proven superior performance and an outstanding contribution to the financial community during the previous 12 months. AGF Management Limited is one of the few independent investment management firms in Canada with a global reach, with operations across Canada and subsidiaries in Europe and Asia.
Responsible for developing and overseeing the company’s strategic direction, Blake has played a critical role in turning AGF into a diversified investment management firm by leading the company into new directions in wealth management. During his senior management tenure, AGF has grown its retail and institutional assets substantially in Canada and internationally. The company has also expanded into new business lines, sold and acquired new businesses, recruited top management and seen its revenues rise significantly.
“Blake was an obvious choice for this award this year,” said Sabine Steinbrecher, CIA President and Founder of the Canadian Investment Awards. “He has driven excellence throughout his organization and had a tremendous impact on this industry as a whole. Under Blake’s guidance, AGF has experienced an inspiring turnaround that has resulted in incredible sales and fund performance, as well as high praise from advisors.”
In addition to his contributions at AGF, Blake is actively involved in numerous community initiatives in Canada and around the globe. He believes that business leaders have a responsibility to show leadership and contribute within the community at large. That includes investing in the future business leaders of tomorrow through leadership in education, as well as stimulating debate and discussion about important policy issues that shape our communities – at the local, national and international levels. Blake has spearheaded a number of philanthropic initiatives over the years, established Canada Company and is actively promoting the first ever Canadian International Council.
The Canadian International Council is a policy think tank that will foster public discussion about foreign policy issues from a Canadian perspective. Canada Company is an apolitical organization that serves as a bridge between Canada’s business community and the military, bringing together influential business and community leaders to support the men and women who serve our country. Among the organization’s major initiatives is the creation of a $2 million Scholarship Fund for the children of Canadian soldiers killed on missions in Canada or abroad.
Blake’s contributions to the community extend to numerous causes, campaigns and charities – everything from supporting the Canadian Film Centre and the United Way to over two decades of involvement in the WWF-Canada to promoting a sustainable environment.
Last night, AGF was also recognized for excellence in the following categories:
“Congratulations to Blake and all our winners at this year’s Gala,” continued Steinbrecher. “This industry’s commitment to excellence continues to inspire me as we work towards the 14th Annual Gala.”
Awards were presented at the 13th Annual Gala held on November 29th, 2007 and winners will be posted online at www.InvestmentAwards.com on November 30th, 2007.
Key sponsors and partners:
Platinum: CGI / Morningstar
Gold: Canadian Business / MoneySense
Silver: Fundata Canada Inc. / Informco / Investment Executive / Learning Library Inc. / Satyam Computer Services Ltd.
Strategic Partners: CCR Solutions / Imagine Canada / Kaleidoscope Marketing and Communications / Prestige Glass International Inc. / VAULT Solutions / YMCA Investment in Values
Partners: Bullfrog Power / Broadridge / Business News Network / CNW Group / Data on the Spot / Elemente Magazine / Investment Fund Institute of Canada / John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd. / Matrix Search Group / RPM Technologies / Tiffany & Co. / Vincor Canada
About AGF Management Limited
AGF Management Limited is one of Canada’s premier investment management companies with offices across Canada and subsidiaries around the world. 2007 marks AGF’s 50th anniversary of providing Canadians with innovative investment solutions across the wealth continuum. AGF’s products and services include a diversified family of more than 50 mutual funds, the evolutionary AGF Elements portfolios, the Harmony asset management program, AGF Institutional Account Services, private client products, and AGF Trust GICs, loans and mortgages. With approximately $55 billion in total assets under management, AGF serves more than one million investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “AGF.B”.
About the Canadian Investment Awards
The Canadian Investment Awards and Gala recognizes leading investment products and firms illustrating an enduring commitment to excellence within the Canadian financial services industry overall. It is the only time each year in Canada, that the industry, investors and advisors come together to select top performers. The event attracts over 600 guests annually and represents the year long work of over 30 firms, 40 senior analysts and expert jury members researching and ranking 50 categories and is supported by over 20 principal sponsors.
The unusual nature of this collaborative structure provides an unbiased and objective outcome that is completely unique to these awards and to Canada. No other analysis process, nor any other resource, provides this broad industry representation via "collaborative results" and the top performers have become a valuable annual reference guide for Canadian investors and advisors.
This is the event of the season celebrating financial service excellence. For more information about the Canadian Investment Awards, please visit www.InvestmentAwards.com .
Media Contacts:
Sabine Steinbrecher
Canadian Investment Awards Inc.
Tel: 416.703.8674 x 229
Email: sabine@learninglibrary.com
Kate Taylor
Kaleidoscope Marketing and Communications
Tel: 416.271.9078
Email: ktaylor@kaleidoscoperesults.com
Lucy Becker
Vice President Corporate Communications
AGF Management Limited
Tel: 416.865.4284
Email: lucy.becker@AGF.com
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