EP 89: Understanding Alternative Investments and Fintech with Sagard CEO Paul Desmarais III

Welcome to our fourth season of Turning the Page! 

 

Over the course of the show, we’ve talked about new kinds of alternative investment strategies for clients as well as the growth in the Fintech industry.

 

To talk to us today about these topics is someone that knows them very well: Paul Desmarais III, the Chairman and CEO of Sagard, an alternative asset management firm active in venture capital, private equity, credit, and real estate.

 

Paul has led Sagard since 2016, along with a handful of close partners bound by a common vision: build one of the best-performing investment firms globally. Sagard has experienced outstanding growth, with assets under management increasing to over $30B.

 

Under Paul, Sagard has built a global network of expertise that helps companies lead, embrace, and stay ahead of disruptive trends, expanding activity in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The team is behind some of the largest technology success stories in Canada such as Wealthsimple, Koho, Nesto, and Dialogue. Sagard is also behind incredible international entrepreneurial journeys such as the growth of Ceva Sante Animale, the creation of Kiloutou as a French equipment rental champion, and the creation of Alan in the insurance space in France.

 

Within the Sagard ecosystem, Paul is the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Portage (fintech & financial services investing) and the Chairman and Co-Founder of Diagram (venture builder). Within the investment portfolios, he is the Chairman of Wealthsimple, Novisto, and Sagard Wealth, and a director of Nesto and Midas.

 

Prior to his current role, Paul worked at Goldman Sachs in the Investment Banking Division, Investment Strategy Group and Special Situations Group, Imerys S.A. in supply chain management and strategy, and Great-West Lifeco Inc. in risk management. He has earned a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

 

Please visit sagard.com if you would like to learn more. 

 

Schedule a virtual coffee with me at https://aspect.ipcc.ca/turning-the-page-podcast#grabcoffeewithchris           

 

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Cheers!

Chris