Gary Perron Portfolio Manager
Gary Perron has a long-standing reputation in Canada’s investment sector through over four decades of disciplined leadership, independent strategy, and consistent value creation. His work spans private wealth asset management, public company directorships, and the formation of highperforming public and private businesses.
Through roles as CEO, managing director, portfolio manager, and business founder, Gary has helped define the standards of independent wealth advisory in Western Canada, shaping how firms approach client alignment, performance accountability, and operational independence across the industry.
Independent Advisory Rooted in Experience
Gary began his financial career in 1977, spending 36 years at BMO Nesbitt Burns ( and predecessor Burns Fry) in Calgary. During this period, he developed an investment approach characterized by discipline, flexibility, and accountability. These values would later serve as the foundation for the independent firms he launched.
In the 1990s, he co-founded Norrep Capital Management, a Calgary-based boutique fund management firm that would evolve into NCM Asset Management Ltd. Norrep quickly established a national presence with offices in Calgary and Toronto, built on a track record of risk-adjusted returns and efficient capital deployment. Gary played a central role in positioning the firm as a serious competitor to traditional bank-run investment houses.
In 2013, Gary Perron launched Perron & Partners Wealth Management (PPWM), designed to serve high-net-worth clients, family offices, foundations, and business owners. PPWM offered tailored financial advice and independent portfolio oversight, positioning itself outside the influence of Canada’s largest banks. Under Gary’s leadership, the firm introduced the Kipling Funds, a suite of investment mandates recognized across the industry for long-term outperformance.
By 2018, PPWM had merged with Cumberland Private Wealth, a strategic decision that aligned two advisory firms focused on independent, client-first wealth management. The merger preserved PPWM’s original mission while expanding its service capabilities under a broader national platform.
Boardroom Impact and Industry Development
Parallel with his portfolio management work, Gary held a series of influential board positions, both public and private, beginning with his first public directorship in 1988. He has served as a director for a wide range of companies across energy, real estate, and finance, often playing a key role in corporate development and long-term growth.
Gary co-founded several businesses that achieved successful exits. These include Progress Energy, which was sold to Petronas in 2012, and Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities, acquired by BCIMC in 2010. He also played a founding role in Realex Properties, sold to Dundee REIT in 2011; Northrock Resources, acquired by Unocal in 2005; and Yoho Resources, which was sold in 2016.
Gary Perron’s directorships have consistently involved operational guidance, strategic financing, and a focus on shareholder return. Other board appointments have included Atlas Energy, Intensity Resources, Trafalgar Energy, and ProEx Energy, among others.
More recently, in 2017, Gary co-founded Maple Leaf Marinas (MLM), which has grown into
Canada’s largest freshwater marina and dealership group. With 20 marinas and 11 dealerships under its operation, MLM reflects Gary’s continued focus on scalable ventures with national potential. The growth of MLM illustrates his ability to lead asset-heavy businesses outside of traditional capital markets, using the same principles that guided his success in investment management.
Commitment to Ethics and Community Engagement
Gary has long emphasized the importance of professional standards and community contribution. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) fromthe University of Manitoba, earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1984, and completed the Institute of Corporate Directors program in 2015. His background reflects a combination of academic rigor and applied governance.
Gary also served on the Investment Dealers Association Advisory Board and has provided strategic input on best practices within portfolio management and investor transparency. These roles support his broader reputation as a measured and reliable contributor to industry-wide development.
Beyond corporate leadership, Gary also founded the Norrep Foundation in 2009. Over the last 12 years, the foundation has donated more than $5 million to registered charities in Calgary. Operating as a private channel for philanthropic investment, the foundation underscores his belief in the long-term value of community-focused giving.
Outside of professional commitments, Gary enjoys travel, golf, and cycling. He also spends time during the summer months at his lake house with his children and grandchildren, balancing the demands of leadership with a commitment to personal wellbeing and family life.
Team Awards & Recognition
Under his leadership, Perron & Partners Wealth Management later integrated into Cumberland Private Wealth earned multiple industry awards for performance and client service, including:
• Multiple Canadian Hedge Fund Awards nominations in 2022, 2023, and 2024 for the Kipling Strategic Income, Kipling Global Enhanced Dividend, and Kipling Global Enhanced Growth Funds.
• The 2024 Advisory Team of the Year (Under 10 Staff) Award of Excellence, recognizing the team’s commitment to client experience, innovation, and leadership.
• A 2023 5-Star Advisory Team honor from Wealth Professional, acknowledging the team’s contributions to client service and industry advancement.
• A 2025 Wealth Management Award for consistent high performance and exceptional client service.
Strategic Focus in a Shifting Investment Landscape
Throughout each stage of his career, Gary has maintained a consistent focus on independence, client alignment, and high-performance strategy. Whether launching a boutique fund manager, advising on public company governance, or growing a national marina platform, he has demonstrated an evident ability to lead organizations through market shifts and economic transitions.
Gary Perron continues to be recognized not only for his leadership but for his role in expanding what independent advisory can accomplish in Canada. As investor expectations evolve and financial markets grow increasingly complex, Gary’s contributions offer a model of strategic clarity grounded in decades of proven results.