Our history

The Evolution of our Business

Canaccord Genuity has grown from a Canadian-based venture capital firm to a premier global financial services firm. Our commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of our clients is the cornerstone of our success. The evolution of our firm continues to be based on putting the interests of our clients and shareholders first.

1950

Canaccord’s business originates as a small regional broker dealer.

1968

Alfred (Ted) Turton acquires a controlling interest and renames it Hemsworth, Turton & Co. Ltd. Peter Brown joins the firm.

1972

The firm becomes known as Canarim Investment Corporation. Under the leadership of Peter Brown and Ted Turton, Canarim becomes a leading regional investment dealer in in the mining, oil and gas and industrial sectors with a broad base of private clients.

1989

Canarim seeks out a strategic alliance with Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Inc. (“LOM”) which was known for its institutional and research capabilities and European operations. In 1989, Canarim combines operations with LOM and is renamed L.O.M. Western Securities Ltd.

1992

LOM Western is acquired by a group of employees and management and is renamed Canaccord Capital Corporation.

1993

Canaccord has 400 employees, including 290 Advisors in six branches across Canada. The company begins an aggressive growth strategy to evolve from a transactional-based business to an integrated, full-service financial services firm.

2000

Canaccord has completed a series of significant mergers and acquisitions, including six independent brokerage firms in Canada, as well as one in London, UK and one in Paris, France.

2003

Canaccord has tripled in size since 1993, as measured by clients, employees, locations and business volumes.

2004

On June 30, Canaccord becomes a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The firm’s IPO raises C$70 million and trades under the ticker symbol CCI.

2005

One year after our listing on the TSX, Canaccord completes a listing on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange. The company is now dual-listed under the symbol CCI, and continues to broaden our shareholder base.

2006

On January 3, Canaccord completes the acquisition of Adams, Harkness & Hill Financial Group Inc., a Boston-based investment dealer with expertise in the technology, life sciences and consumer segments. Our global capital markets division is rebranded Canaccord Adams to solidify this strategic growth.

2007

Paul Reynolds is appointed President and CEO of Canaccord Capital Inc., succeeding founder Peter Brown, who remains Chairman of the Board of Directors after 40 years of successful leadership.

2009

Canaccord Capital becomes Canaccord Financial Inc., with Canaccord Wealth Management operating as a leading, full-service investment dealer in Canada and Canaccord Adams as our international capital markets operations based in Canada, the US and the UK. To signal this important transition, the ticker symbol for Canaccord Financial is changed to CF on the Toronto Stock Exchange and CF. on the AIM.

2010

Canaccord Financial Inc. acquires Genuity Capital Markets – a leading independent advisory firm in Canada. The acquisition adds significant strength to Canaccord’s capital markets division, particularly in the M&A, Advisory and Restructuring space. As a result of the business integration, Canaccord’s capital markets division is rebranded Canaccord Genuity (from Canaccord Adams).

On November 22, 2010, Canaccord announced its expansion into Asia with the acquisition of The Balloch Group and a strategic agreement with the Export-Import Bank of China.

2011

Canaccord completes the acquisition of The Balloch Group and rebrands its capital markets operations in Asia Canaccord Genuity Asia.

Canaccord completes the acquisition of a 50% interest in BGF Equities and rebrands its operations in Australia and Hong Kong Canaccord BGF.

2012

Canaccord completes the acquisition of Collins Stewart Hawkpoint, significantly expanding its operations in the UK and the US, adding operations in Europe, and growing its Asia-Pacific presence with operations and listing capabilities in Singapore.

On July 13, 2012, Canaccord's common shares began trading on the LSE Main Market, having graduated from AIM.

2013

On October 1 2013, Canaccord Financial Inc. is renamed Canaccord Genuity Group Inc., unifying the global franchise under the Canaccord Genuity brand.

2015

David Kassie assumes role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, following the death of Paul Reynolds, President and CEO. On October 1, 2015, Dan Daviau is named President & Chief Executive Officer of Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. In conjunction with the appointment, Mr. Daviau joins the Board of Directors. David Kassie becomes Executive Chairman.

2017

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management in the UK & Crown Dependencies completes its acquisition of Hargreave Hale Ltd. one of the UK's leading independent investment and wealth management businesses. The transaction establishes CGWM (UK) as a top 10 UK wealth management business by assets and represents an important step in the Company's strategy of growing its global wealth management businesses and increasing its wealth management contributions to overall group results.

2018

Canaccord Genuity completes its acquistion of JitneyTrade and its related technology business Finlogik. This transaction supports the Company's mid-market growth strategy by enhancing its market share of equities trading and allows access to new areas of growth.

Canaccord Genuity completes the acquisition of an additional 30% of the shares in its Australian capital markets and wealth management business, increasing the Company’s ownership to 80% from 50%.

2019

Canaccord Genuity completes the acquisition of leading U.S. based advisory firm Petsky Prunier bringing complementary advisory expertise in technology and healthcare sectors and underscoring our commitment to adding scale to its fixed cost base in the U.S..

On October 21, 2019, Canaccord Genuity through its Australian operation completed its acquisition of Patersons Securites Limited, a premier financial services business with operations in wealth management and capital markets, establishing a significant platform for expansion in Australia.

2021

On July 29, 2021, HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“HPS”) on behalf of investment accounts and funds it manages completed an investment in its UK Wealth Management business. HPS expects to be a strategic and financial partner to CGWM UK on future acquisitions and growth opportunities as they continue to expand and grow the business.

On October 1, 2021, Canaccord Genuity through its wealth management business in the UK & Crown Dependencies completed the acquisition of the private client investment management business of Adam & Company, establishing the Company’s entry into the Scottish market with a leading and well-established franchise and strong brand.  

On December 31, 2021, Canaccord Genuity completed the acquisition of Sawaya Partners, a leading independent M&A advisory firm to the consumer sector based in New York. This transaction underscores the Company’s commitment to expanding its advisory capability and builds upon its existing consumer practice, while providing a strong intersection with core CG focus sectors of technology, media, healthcare and sustainability.

2022

On May 31, 2022, the Company, through its wealth management business in the UK and Crown Dependencies (“CGWM UK”), completed its previously announced acquisition of Punter Southall Wealth Limited (“PSW”), allowing CGWM UK to build upon its exceptional growth to date and advance its priority of becoming an integrated wealth manager of scale. In connection with completion of the acquisition, HPS Investment Partners, LLC, on behalf of investment accounts and funds it manages, has made an additional investment in CGWM UK through the purchase of a new series of convertible preferred shares of CGWM UK in the amount of £65.3 million (C$110.5 million).

On August 17, 2022, the Company completed its asset purchase agreement to acquire the business of Results International Group LLP (“Results”). Results is an independent advisory firm headquartered in London, UK, focused in the technology and healthcare sectors. This transaction complements recent investments by the Company to expand its global Advisory business and expand its European domain expertise in the Healthcare and Technology sectors.

2023

On May 29, 2023, the Company, through its Canadian Wealth Management business,  announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Mercer’s Canadian Private Wealth Business.

2024

On March 18, 2024, the Company announced the completion of a non-brokered private placement (“Private Placement”) of convertible unsecured senior subordinated debentures (“Convertible Debentures”) to two institutional investors for gross proceeds of $110,000,000. The Convertible Debentures bear interest at a rate of 7.75% per annum, payable semi-annually on the last day of June and December each year commencing June 30, 2024. The Convertible Debentures are convertible at the holder's option into common shares of the Company, at a conversion price of $9.68 per common share subject to certain limits on ownership and subject to customary anti-dilution provisions and adjustment to the conversion price in the event that the Company pays a dividend in excess of dividends paid in the ordinary course. The Convertible Debentures mature on March 15, 2029 and may be redeemed by the Company in certain circumstances, on or after March 15, 2027. The conversion of the Convertible Debentures is limited to the extent that the holder following such conversion would own more than 9.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company unless regulatory approval is obtained. In the event of a redemption by the Company, under certain circumstances the Company will pay to the holder in cash an amount equal to the conversion value that would have been in excess of any limits on ownership level then in effect. The Company used approximately $80 million of the proceeds from the Private Placement to provide an interest-bearing secured loan (the “Loan”) to a limited partnership to be owned by certain employees of the Company (the “Partnership”). The Partnership will be a long-term ownership vehicle for senior employees of the Company and, accordingly, the Partnership used the proceeds from the Loan to acquire approximately 9.9 million outstanding common shares of the Company (representing a 9.7% ownership stake) in a private transaction that was completed contemporaneously with the closing of the Private Placement. The remaining proceeds of the Private Placement will be deployed within the business to support ongoing growth priorities.

On April 8, 2024, the Company, through CGWM UK, completed its acquisition of Intelligent Capital, a financial planning business based in Glasgow, Scotland. The transaction supports CGWM’s strategy of investing in the growth and success of its wealth management business while continuing to increase the scale of its financial planning capacity.

On October 1, 2024, the Company announced that through its wealth management business in the UK & Crown Dependencies, it has completed its previously disclosed purchase acquisition of Cantab Asset Management Ltd., a chartered, independent financial planning business headquartered in Cambridge, UK. The transaction further consolidates CGWM UK’s position as a top 10 wealth manager in the UK by assets under management & advice and strengthens its financial planning capacity and reach.