Manage your subscription

Business in Vancouver: Your source of regional business intelligence since 1989.

CONTACT US

ph: 604-688-2398

fx: 604-688-1963

 

subscribe@biv.com

ads@biv.com

news@biv.com

 

CAN'T FIND SOMETHING?

Here's an exhaustive survey of products and services

Carlo De Mello

National leader of credit union practice, Canada; leader of financial services practice, Greater Vancouver, KPMG LLP


Age: 38

An 18-month secondment to KPMG’s London office turned into a five-year stint in one of the most dynamic financial centres in the world for Carlo De Mello.

He had joined KPMG just three years earlier in 1992 after graduating with a commerce degree from the University of British Columbia.

“The thought of working internationally was very appealing and going to London just made sense.”

In the years leading up to the turn of the millennium, De Mello advised some of the largest financial institutions in the world, from Tokyo Mitsubishi International to Credit Suisse First Boston, his main client.

The move also served him well personally, having met his wife who was in the U.K. from the firm’s Sydney, Australia, office. The desire to start a family ultimately led them to decide to move back to Vancouver to be closer to his family.

His global experience has served him well since coming back to Vancouver. “You see things at a broader scale. We’re not a large financial centre, but we’re a global one, and I think having that perspective is extremely valuable.”

De Mello has developed KPMG’s Canadian credit-union practice into one of the largest out of any other accounting firm in the country with clients ranging from Central Credit Union of Canada and Central 1 to Vancity, Coast Capital Savings and a number of other credit-union centrals across the country.

He’s also been instrumental in growing the firms’ financial-services practice in Greater Vancouver, serving the region’s largest financial institutions, including HSBC Bank Canada, Raymond James Ltd. and Yellowpoint Equity Partners.

For Kenyan-born De Mello, receiving BIV’s Forty Under 40 award has a personal significance. “My parents moved here really to create opportunities for their children, and they made huge sacrifices for our family, and all this is gravy compared to what they’ve done for us.” •


Birthplace: Mombasa, Kenya

Where do you live now: Vancouver

Highest level of education: BComm, finance from UBC; CA designation

Car or chosen mode of transport: VW Golf

Currently reading: Meditation in a New York Minute by Mark Thornton

Last CD bought or music downloaded: This Is It by Michael Jackson

Favourite movie: Slumdog Millionaire

Favourite local restaurant: West

Person you would most like to meet: Nelson Mandela and Bill Shankly

Profession you would most like to try: Professional footballer for Liverpool Football Club

Mentor: Bill Thomas, CEO of KPMG Canada

Most memorable career milestone or event: Passing the UFE (uniform final exam) – a four-day, 16-hour exam – after having to write the exam standing due to a herniated disc in my back and being unable to sit for more than five minutes at a time

Toughest business or professional decision: Having to let go of an employee

What’s left to do: Leave my professional legacy through continued leadership and mentorship of the next generation; take my daughter, Lauren, and son, Ben, to Anfield and sing, “You’ll Never Walk Alone” on the Kop (terraces in the stands)


This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053

Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week.

 

Branded Content

 Got Concrete?
Fab-U-Floors

 How to find the best home for a thriving business
District of Maple Ridge

 Real Estate Assignments: Avoiding the Legal Pitfalls
Harper Grey LLP

 Heritage Office Furnishings: skilled in-house technicians make the difference
Heritage Office Furnishings

 JETRO Paves the Way for Japan/Canada Business Matching
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)

 Connections to Markets and Opportunities to Invest
Pitt Meadows

 Bringing the promise of biotechnology to life
Amgen

 Careers in Payroll – Contributing to Canada’s Economy
The Canadian Payroll Association (CPA)

Contact Katherine Butler at KButler@biv.com
or call 604-608-5158 to learn more about our branded content packages.

 

Comments about this site should be sent to:
Business in Vancouver Web Production
Copyright © 2011 BIV Media LP
102 East 4th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5T 1G2
Tel 604-688-2398 | Fax 604-688-1963
Terms of use for this site.