Brian Rosen will be Colliers’ new president and chief executive officer, Canada. (Courtesy Colliers)

Colliers International (CIGI-T) has announced Brian Rosen will be promoted from Canadian chief operating officer to succeed David Bowden as president and chief executive officer, Canada. The move is effective March 31.

Bowden will transition to a new role as CEO, Colliers Real Estate Strategy and Consulting, reporting to Rosen. In his new position, Bowden will integrate Colliers’ existing consulting practices into a national Real Estate Strategy and Consulting entity.

“I want to thank David for his outstanding contribution as Canadian CEO over the past 14 years,” said Jay Hennick, Colliers’ global chair and chief executive officer. “Colliers is the market leader in commercial real estate in large part because of David’s tireless efforts and we are all looking forward to watching him expand our Real Estate Strategy and Consulting practice across the country.”

Rosen joined Colliers in 2019 as part of a deliberate succession planning process. He brings a wealth of senior leadership experience from roles including Canadian country lead in a related industry, and corporate strategist.

“It is a privilege to lead the team in Canada and work with such a terrific group of executives who are among the best in our industry at an exciting time in our business,” said Rosen in the release.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Rosen will be based in Toronto.

C-suite comings, goings at Boardwalk REIT

After 26 and 18 years of service, president Rob Geremia and CFO William Wong have announced their retirements from Boardwalk REIT (BEI-UN-T), effective April 30 and June 30, respectively. 

“Rob began with Boardwalk in 1994 and played a key role in the success of Boardwalk from our early days as a much smaller company to the success we have today as one of Canada’s largest owners and operators of multifamily apartments in Canada,” said Boardwalk CEO Sam Kolias in the company’s 2019 financial report.

“William has been the CFO of Boardwalk since 2007, and has been a valued member of the Boardwalk family for the past 18 years. William’s mentorship and leadership has streamlined many of our processes and his financial acumen has ensured the trust remains leaders in reporting and disclosure.”

As part of its planned succession strategy, a number of executives will receive promotions or expanded roles.

Lisa Smandych will be appointed chief financial officer, leading the trust’s financial reporting, regulatory disclosure, tax compliance, and the strategic planning and execution of the trust’s financial goals and targets.

Leonora Davids, the vice-president of operations, will continue to lead the execution of operational goals and targets. Previously responsible for Western Canada, she will now expand her operational leadership across Boardwalk’s portfolio.

Jeff Klaus will transition to vice-president of asset management and development, leading the implementation and execution of the trust’s asset management strategy. A 20-year veteran with Boardwalk, he was most recently vice-president of development and acquisition.

Wadley COO at Dream Office REIT

Dream Office REIT (D-UN-T) has appointed Gord Wadley its new chief operating officer. Wadley will oversee the operating performance of Dream Office’s properties, including asset management, leasing, property operations, internal and third-party property management services.

Wadley joined Dream Office REIT in 2011 and has held progressively senior position, most recently as senior vice-president, commercial properties and vice-president, leasing.

Prior to joining Dream, he worked for CB Richard Ellis providing commercial representation to corporate clients both domestic and international.

Wadley earned a degree from Acadia University and earned his Master of Business Administration in Real Estate Leadership from the University of Fredericton.

Regional Group names investment, leasing director

Ottawa-based real estate developer and manager Regional Group named Pierre Hurteau as its senior director of investment and leasing. Hurteau will lead investment strategies to acquire value-add opportunities for Regional and its clients, as well as maximize asset values through strategic management initiatives.

Hurteau is well-known in the Ottawa real estate community, having co-founded BridgePort Realty Capital Partners in 2008. The boutique investment and management company has offices in Ottawa and Toronto.

New board chair at MCAN

MCAN Mortgage Corporation (MKP-T) has announced significant changes to its board of directors, including the appointment of Derek Sutherland as chair. He succeeds Ian Sutherland, who is stepping down after a decade in the position.

Ian Sutherland will remain a member of the board. As a founding partner of MCAN, his leadership and guidance has advanced company strategy and contributed to its success and growth for 30 years.

Derek Sutherland brings with him 12 years of experience with MCAN in management and since 2017, as a director. He previously held various positions including chief risk officer at MCAN, and is a CPA, CBV and a Corporate Director.

MCAN also said current board members Susan Doré and Verna Cuthbert are retiring. Doré has been a director since 2010 and was previously a member of management at MCAN and its predecessors. She has 33 years of experience with the firm. 

Cuthbert served on the board since 2013.

Bray becomes president at REW.ca

Simon Bray has been named the new president of REW.ca. (Courtesy Real Estate Wire)

Vancouver-based REW.ca (Real Estate Wire), a Canadian real estate portal for listings, new home developments, and agent connections and insights, has hired Simon Bray as president.

Bray is a seasoned real estate technology professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining REW, he was CEO Marketplaces of Madrid-based LIFULL Connect, the world’s largest real estate aggregation network.

He’s also held executive positions at other global real estate portals, as GM real estate at Mitula Group, and CEO of South African-based Private Property.

Real Estate Wire is a real estate marketplace and information hub across Canada, with about four million visits per month, the company says.

Rousseau joins Landmark Advisory

Landmark Advisory Services has appointed Patrick Rousseau its director of lease administration and audit services.

With 21 years in commercial retail, Rousseau acquired broad knowledge of both that industry and commercial real estate.

His professional development has led him through market analytics, real estate, property management, municipal taxation, lease administration and audits before being entrusted with the management of the team covering the Quebec and Atlantic provinces portfolio for a national Canadian retail company.