Fueling Growth: The Benefits of Private Equity on the Canadian Economy and Financial Markets
Roundtable Luncheon with Kim Furlong, George Rossolatos, Paul Thompson, and Jim Walker
Private capital markets have a positive impact on the economy – from job creation to increased prosperity – yet Canadian firms struggle to secure long-term, patient capital to grow their operations. Join our panel of experts on November 7 to discuss the role of private equity in scaling small and medium-sized businesses, and recommendations on how to bridge the growth capital gap in Canada.
Kim Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association
George Rossolatos, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Business Growth Fund
Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Jim Walker, Head of Private Markets, Managing Partner, HOOPP Capital Partners
Panelist Biographies
Kim Furlong, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association
Kim Furlong is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA).
She joined the CVCA in January 2019 after a decade in the corporate world, leading external affairs for Amgen Canada; a world-leading biotechnology company. Prior to Amgen, she held the position of Vice President Federal Government Relations for the Retail Council of Canada.
Ms. Furlong has an expansive background in the public sector and held the position of Director of Communications to Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister, the Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew. Prior to joining Minister Pettigrew's office, Ms. Furlong was an advisor for the Honorable James. S. Peterson, Canadian International Trade Minister on trade policy issues such as aerospace, intellectual property, and emerging markets.
A strong believer in solid public policy dialogue, Ms. Furlong is a member of the Canada 2020 Advisory Council, a nonpartisan progressive think tank and is a member of Equal Voice, a multi-partisan action committee devoted to the idea that more women must be elected to every level of government in Canada. She also sits on the Advisory Council of Ivey Centre for Health Innovation.
Ms. Furlong is also the former President of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs Alumni Association where she received a Masters degree in Trade Policy and Global Finance. She is also an alumnus of McGill University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American history.
A Quebec native, Furlong was born and raised in the picturesque town of Percé on the Gaspé Peninsula. She currently lives in Toronto with her husband Howie and her twin boys, commonly known as the peanuts.
George Rossolatos, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Business Growth Fund
George Rossolatos has over 20 years’ experience as an investor, entrepreneur, and leader. He is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Canadian Business Growth Fund.
George joined the CBGF as its founding CEO in 2018, bringing a passion to help entrepreneurs across Canada grow their companies and ‘think bigger’. Before joining the Fund, George was CEO of Avante Logixx Inc. (TSXV:XX) from 2010 -2017. As an investor and operator at Avante, his mandate was to determine the company's strategic direction and vision and execute the go forward plan which included an operational turnaround
Prior to Avante, George worked in the private equity industry for 10 years. He was a partner and co-founder of TorQuest Partners Inc. a mid-market Canadian private equity fund from its inception in early 2002 until 2010. George’s previous roles included experience as an investment principal at Harrowston Inc., a publicly traded merchant bank, and five years with Ernst & Young LLP in his home town of Ottawa managing a group focused on middle market companies.
As a Chartered Public Accountant (CPA - Ontario), George holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.Com. (Honours) from Queen’s University. He was recognized in 2007 as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 and is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and a past member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
Paul Thompson, Associate Deputy Minister, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Mr. Paul Thompson was appointed as Associate Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada in November 2017.
He has held executive positons in various departments including the Privy Council Office, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Treasury Board Secretariat. Prior to his current role, he held several Assistant Deputy Minister positions at Employment and Social Development Canada and most recently as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for the Skills and Employment Branch.
Mr. Thompson has 3 teenage children and enjoys staying active in a number of summer and winter sports and outdoor activities.
Mr. Thompson holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Toronto.
Jim Walker, Head of Private Markets, Managing Partner, HOOPP Capital Partners
Jim Walker is both the Head of Private Markets at HOOPP (encompassing real estate, infrastructure, private equity and private credit activities within the private equity portfolio) and Managing Partner of HOOPP Capital Partners (leading the private equity team).
Currently, Jim is Chair of the Board of Champion Petfoods and is also on the Board of Chobani, which are the two largest investments in the HOOPP private equity portfolio.
Prior to joining the HOOPP, he co-founded and was Managing Director of Clearspring Capital LP (previously Callisto Capital), a mid-market Canadian private equity firm, which during that time was one of Canada’s top performing mid-market private equity firms. After joining HOOPP, he continued as Chair of the Board and asset manager of Spectrum Healthcare, a leading provincial home healthcare company.
He was a senior officer (including President and Chief Executive Officer) of Gentra Inc., a leading publicly traded property investment and real estate merchant banking operation, part of the Brookfield group of companies. Before joining Gentra, Jim was a partner with the law firm of Fraser & Beatty (now Dentons), specializing in mergers and acquisitions and securities law.
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