The financial crisis tested even the most seasoned investment manager, but Jeffrey Guise was among those courageous enough to stick to an investment strategy of finding opportunities amidst unprecedented market turmoil.
“We certainly found opportunities in the marketplace, committed the capital and our clients are benefiting from that now. The difficult decision was when to commit the capital and the courage to stick with it.”
As CC&L Private Capital’s chief investment officer for the past four years, Guise sets the overall investment strategy for the firm and monitors its implementation for 1,500 clients that include high-net worth individuals, foundations, endowments and First Nations.
But his impact on the firm stretches back to 2000, when he was instrumental in developing the private-client business. He’s helped establish the strategic direction of CC&L and was in charge of implementing a platform that has increased the firm’s assets under management to $2.1 billion from $300 million 10 years ago.
The private-client business is one of Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group’s biggest growth areas, expanding from the institutional side of the business that now manages $35 billion in assets.
Over the years, he has also found time to be involved in the local community, having been on the board of the Vancouver International Wine Festival and most recently on the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre board, helping revitalizing the organization.
He also plays hockey once a week with the Bullets, a local hockey team that includes many longtime friends.
When he’s not travelling, he spends as much time as possible with his wife, who is expecting their second child, and their four-year-old son. “You work different hours. I’ll put my son to bed, spend time with my wife and read in the evening, which may be time people would spend in the office. But it’s important to me that I spend time with them every day.” •
