Robert Mcfarlane Email & Phone Number

Vancouver, Bc, Ca

Waterloo, On Canada

Definity Financial Corporation (TSX: DFY) is the parent company to some of Canada’s most long-standing and innovative multi-channel, property and casualty insurance companies and distributors, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. In November 2021, Definity completed its demutualization and closed its IPO and concurrent cornerstone private placements to Swiss Re, and Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund, raising aggregate… Show more Definity Financial Corporation (TSX: DFY) is the parent company to some of Canada’s most long-standing and innovative multi-channel, property and casualty insurance companies and distributors, including Economical Insurance, Sonnet Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions, and Petline Insurance. In November 2021, Definity completed its demutualization and closed its IPO and concurrent cornerstone private placements to Swiss Re, and Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund, raising aggregate proceeds of $2.4B. Definity Financial Corporation is one of the leading property and casualty insurers in Canada, with over $4.1 billion in gross written premiums for the 12 months ended March 31, 2024 and over $2.9 billion in equity attributable to common shareholders as at March 31, 2024. Show less

Vancouver, Canada Area

HSBC Bank Canada, a former subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, with assets of C$130B was the leading international bank in Canada until its C$13.5B acquisition by RBC that closed on March 28, 2024. The HSBC Group serves customers worldwide from over 6,100 offices in 73 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,634bn at 31 December 2014, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services… Show more HSBC Bank Canada, a former subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, with assets of C$130B was the leading international bank in Canada until its C$13.5B acquisition by RBC that closed on March 28, 2024. The HSBC Group serves customers worldwide from over 6,100 offices in 73 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,634bn at 31 December 2014, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.• In Oct 2017 appointed Chair of Audit & Risk Committee, as well as Chair of Conduct Risk Committee. These Committees were merged in 2019.• In Feb 2019 the two committees were merged to form the Audit, Risk and Conduct Committee. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

Appointed Chair of Audit Committee in Sep 2018.eOne was acquired by Hasbro Inc. in December 2019 in an all-cash transaction for USD $4B.Until being acquired by Hasbro, eOne was listed on the LSE (ETO) with its corporate head office in Toronto, Canada. Entertainment One is a global independent studio that specialises in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content.The Company’s diversified expertise spans across… Show more Appointed Chair of Audit Committee in Sep 2018.eOne was acquired by Hasbro Inc. in December 2019 in an all-cash transaction for USD $4B.Until being acquired by Hasbro, eOne was listed on the LSE (ETO) with its corporate head office in Toronto, Canada. Entertainment One is a global independent studio that specialises in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content.The Company’s diversified expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Through its global reach and expansive scale, powered by deep local market knowledge, the Company delivers the best content to the world.Entertainment One’s robust network includes film and television studio The Mark Gordon Company; content creation venture Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, Reliance Entertainment, Alibaba Pictures and Universal Filmed Entertainment; newly-launched MAKEREADY with Brad Weston; leading feature film production and global sales company Sierra Pictures; unscripted television production company Renegade 83; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning digital agency Secret Location. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

• One of Canada’s largest property and casualty insurers with assets of circa $10 Billion.• Chair of Special Committee of the Board that oversaw the divestiture of commercial brokerage subsidiary Noraxis Capital Corporation for $500M, as publicly announced in May 2014.

Toronto, Canada Area

Appointed to the Board of then TSX listed InnVest in March 2014 as independent director as part of settlement agreement following successful activist campaign, which was supported by various institutional investors to reform governance at InnVest and accelerate its strategic plan to position it as the leading growth platform in Canada’s hospitality industry. Member of Capital Structure Task Team; and Chaired Special Committee of independent trustees in 2016 regarding matters concerning sale by… Show more Appointed to the Board of then TSX listed InnVest in March 2014 as independent director as part of settlement agreement following successful activist campaign, which was supported by various institutional investors to reform governance at InnVest and accelerate its strategic plan to position it as the leading growth platform in Canada’s hospitality industry. Member of Capital Structure Task Team; and Chaired Special Committee of independent trustees in 2016 regarding matters concerning sale by Orange Capital of its InnVest investment as well as related implications for renewal of InnVest's rights plan. Following CEO transition and successful execution of market growth strategy focused on acquiring luxury Canadian hotels, InnVest was acquired in August 2016 by Bluesky Hotels and Resorts for an EV of approximately $2.1B based on $7.25 per unit offer price. Including monthly distributions, this represents total unit holder return from March 2014 of approximately 60%.InnVest Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated open-ended real estate investment trust which owns a portfolio of 107 hotels across Canada representing approximately 14,000 guest rooms operated under internationally recognized brands. InnVest also holds a 50% interest in Choice Hotels Canada Inc., one of the largest franchisors of hotels in Canada. InnVest’s head office is located at Royal Bank Plaza, South Tower, 200 Bay Street, Suite 2200, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2J1. Show less

Vancouver, Canada

• Responsible for the financial health and efficiency of TELUS’ $11B annual revenue business, $20B balance sheet, $2B annual capital expenditure program and $7B pension investment management function.• Responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership from an enterprise business perspective which transcended conventional finance responsibilities. • Responsible for the entire Finance Business Unit comprised of approximately 800-1,000 team members across Canada • Along… Show more • Responsible for the financial health and efficiency of TELUS’ $11B annual revenue business, $20B balance sheet, $2B annual capital expenditure program and $7B pension investment management function.• Responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership from an enterprise business perspective which transcended conventional finance responsibilities. • Responsible for the entire Finance Business Unit comprised of approximately 800-1,000 team members across Canada • Along with CEO was one of two principal public spokespersons for TELUS to media and investors. Show less

Vancouver, Canada Area

Appointed to Board at invitation of institutional investor of Ascalade prior to its June 2005 successful IPO and listing on the TSX. Ascalade designed and developed cordless telephony products in Richmond, BC which it manufactured in its facilities in China for sale to global consumer and enterprise markets. They distributed products to over 35 countries and primarily sold to industry-leading technology OEMs and telecommunications companies in Europe and Asia under recognized brands (including… Show more Appointed to Board at invitation of institutional investor of Ascalade prior to its June 2005 successful IPO and listing on the TSX. Ascalade designed and developed cordless telephony products in Richmond, BC which it manufactured in its facilities in China for sale to global consumer and enterprise markets. They distributed products to over 35 countries and primarily sold to industry-leading technology OEMs and telecommunications companies in Europe and Asia under recognized brands (including Phillips, NTL, Cable & Wireless, Audioline GMBH, Betpoint Electronics Ltd. (Brondi), Swisscom Fixnet AG, Swisstel, GE, Thompson, RCA, ClearOne Communications , British Telecom and Toshiba). Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

• Appointed to CFO to lead IPO following two years of financial and strategic advisory assignments.• One of key executives involved in all facets of strategic formulation and execution that led Clearnet to be one of Canada’s great entrepreneurial success stories from its private start-up phase including its $112M 1994 IPO to its $7.7B sale in 2000 to TELUS, which was the largest transaction in Canadian telecommunications history.• While in negative cash flow start-up stage… Show more • Appointed to CFO to lead IPO following two years of financial and strategic advisory assignments.• One of key executives involved in all facets of strategic formulation and execution that led Clearnet to be one of Canada’s great entrepreneurial success stories from its private start-up phase including its $112M 1994 IPO to its $7.7B sale in 2000 to TELUS, which was the largest transaction in Canadian telecommunications history.• While in negative cash flow start-up stage, quarterbacked capital-raising of more than $3.3B from 11 consecutive, successful and often precedent setting equity and debt issues over three year period. Show less

Toronto, Canada Area

• Helped start-up this boutique corporate finance advisory firm as a junior partner.• Sourced, valued, structured and advised mid-market Canadian client corporations on transactions such as private equity or debt financings, LBO’s as well as M&A situations.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Contributed to all facets of start-up boutique mid-market merchant banking firm including raising capital, completing IPO, co-authoring investment policy and development of strategic plan. • Sourced, analyzed, executed and administered private equity and subordinated debt investments.

Toronto, Canada Area

• Sourced, analyzed and administered portfolio of mid-market corporate loan accounts and LBO transactions.

Institute Of Corporate Directors, Icd.D, (Jan 2016), Directors Education Program

Bachelor Of Commerce (B.Com.) Honours

Activities and Societies: 4 Year defensive back on Golden Gaels varsity football team

Master Of Business Administration (Mba)

Activities and Societies: President of MBA Hockey Club