Gary Perron


Gary Perron has built a long-standing reputation in Canada’s investment sector through over four decades of disciplined leadership, independent strategy, and consistent value creation. His career covers private wealth asset management, public company directorships, and the founding of both public and private businesses that have achieved strong results.


He has served as CEO, managing director, portfolio manager, and business founder, helping define the standards of independent wealth advisory in Western Canada. His influence has guided how firms approach client alignment, performance accountability, and operational independence.


Independent Advisory Rooted in Experience


He began his financial career in 1977, spending 36 years at BMO Nesbitt Burns, including its predecessor Burns Fry, in Calgary. During this time, he developed an investment approach based on discipline, adaptability, and accountability. These core values later became the foundation for the independent firms he established.


In the 1990s, he co-founded a Calgary-based boutique fund management company that evolved into NCM Asset Management Ltd. The firm expanded nationally with offices in Calgary and Toronto, earning recognition for delivering risk-adjusted returns and deploying capital efficiently. His leadership positioned the company as a credible alternative to traditional bank-owned investment firms.


In 2013, he launched Perron & Partners Wealth Management (PPWM) to serve high-net-worth clients, family offices, foundations, and business owners. PPWM provided tailored financial advice and independent portfolio oversight, free from the influence of Canada’s largest banks. Under his guidance, the firm introduced the Kipling Funds—a suite of investment mandates that gained industry recognition for long-term performance.


By 2018, PPWM merged with Cumberland Private Wealth in a strategic decision that united two independent, client-focused advisory firms. This merger preserved PPWM’s mission while broadening its service offerings under a national platform.


Boardroom Impact and Industry Development


Alongside his portfolio management work, he has served in influential board roles for both public and private companies since his first public directorship in 1988. His experience spans sectors such as energy, real estate, and finance, where he has contributed to corporate growth and strategic planning.


He co-founded several companies that achieved successful exits, including an energy firm acquired by Petronas in 2012, a lifestyle communities business purchased by BCIMC in 2010, a real estate company sold to Dundee REIT in 2011, an energy producer acquired by Unocal in 2005, and a resource company sold in 2016.


His directorships have consistently involved operational guidance, strategic financing, and a focus on shareholder value. Additional board positions have included roles with other energy and resource companies.


In 2017, he co-founded Maple Leaf Marinas (MLM), which has grown into Canada’s largest freshwater marina and dealership group. With 20 marinas and 11 dealerships, MLM reflects its continued interest in building scalable ventures with national potential. The company’s growth demonstrates his ability to lead asset-heavy businesses outside traditional capital markets, applying the same principles that shaped his success in investment management.


Commitment to Ethics and Community Engagement


He has always placed strong emphasis on professional ethics and contributing to the community. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) from the University of Manitoba, earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1984, and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors program in 2015. This combination of academic and practical governance experience has shaped his leadership approach.


He has also served on the Investment Dealers Association Advisory Board, providing strategic input on portfolio management best practices and investor transparency. His participation in such roles reinforces his reputation as a steady and thoughtful contributor to industry improvement.


In 2009, he founded the Norrep Foundation, which has donated more than $5 million to registered charities in Calgary over the past 12 years. Operating as a private channel for philanthropic giving, the foundation reflects his belief in the long-term value of supporting the community.


Outside his professional commitments, he enjoys travel, golf, and cycling. He also spends summers at his lake house with his children and grandchildren, maintaining a balance between leadership and personal life.


Team Awards & Recognition


Under his leadership, Perron & Partners Wealth Management—later part of Cumberland Private Wealth—earned multiple industry awards, reflecting both strong performance and a commitment to clients. These include:



Strategic Focus in a Shifting Investment Landscape


Throughout his career, he has maintained a consistent focus on independence, client alignment, and performance-driven strategies. Whether building a boutique asset management firm, advising on public company governance, or expanding a national marina business, he has shown the ability to lead organizations through changing markets and economic cycles.


Gary Perron continues to be recognized for his leadership and for advancing the role of independent advisory in Canada. As investor needs evolve and markets become more complex, his work remains a clear example of strategic direction backed by decades of proven results.