Richard Abboud – Founder & CEO of Forum Asset Management – Named OCC’s 2024 CEO of the Year Award Recipient

(TORONTO – October 22, 2024) – The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) today announced that Richard Abboud, Founder and CEO of Forum Asset Management, has earned its 2024 Ontario Business Achievement Award for CEO of the Year. Each year, this award is presented to a CEO who has provided exceptional leadership over the past 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success within its industry.

“Richard Abboud is an exemplar of purpose-driven business leadership in his industry and his community, and that’s why the Ontario Chamber is so proud to honour him with the CEO of the Year Award,” said Daniel Tisch, President and CEO of the OCC. “With 25 years of success in real estate, private equity, and sustainable infrastructure, Richard has transformed his firm into a powerhouse of private investment. He has also matched his passion for innovation with philanthropic investment in Canada’s entrepreneurial culture – a movement that will have enduring impact.”

A passionate entrepreneur, inspiring leader, and active philanthropist, Abboud has taken Forum Asset Management to remarkable heights, achieving an impressive average annual return of 15% over the past two years. The firm’s assets under management have soared past $2 billion, a testament to his knack for seizing attractive investment opportunities across diverse sectors.

Abboud also serves on the Business Council of Canada, composed of over 150 business leaders committed to helping the country reach its full potential. He is the founding chair and board member of Shift Canada, a new movement to cultivate a bold and thriving Canada through educational resources and thought leadership.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. This award reflects the incredible teamwork and shared vision that have driven Forum Asset Management’s success,” said Richard Abboud, Founder and CEO, Forum Asset Management. “I’m grateful to my talented partners and colleagues at Forum and Shift Canada, whose dedication make our achievements possible. This award is a celebration of our collective efforts and inspires us to continue to deliver extraordinary outcomes for our investors and for Canada.”

The Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) is the leading program recognizing business success in the province. The televised CEO of the Year Award episode will celebrate Abboud’s work to foster entrepreneurship, education, social equity, and broader economic opportunities for the Ontario business community.

Watch the 2024 OBAAs this Fall on TLN TV. The televised CEO of the Year Award will air on  November 16/17 and is supported by the series presenting partner, CN and broadcast partner, TLN Media Group, and episode partner, CBRE Canada. To learn more about the broadcast and our partners, visit the OBAAs website.

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and sustainable, inclusive economic growth in Ontario.

About Forum Asset Management

Forum is a investor, developer and asset manager operating across North America, with over 25 years of operating history. It’s core purpose is to deliver Extraordinary Outcomes™ to it’s stakeholders. Forum’s adaptable, agile and dynamic team is committed to sustainability and responsible investing, creating value that benefits the communities in which they invest. Forum is proud to have delivered in the top tier of alternative asset returns since 2002, while positively impacting over 10,000 lives through its philanthropy. Visit www.forumam.com for more information.

About Shift Canada 

Shift Canada is a pioneering movement dedicated to fostering a bold and thriving future for Canada by inspiring innovation, ambition, and a culture of celebrating success. Through programs like Shift Failure, the organization equips young Canadians with critical life skills such as resilience, perseverance, and a positive attitude towards failure, which are essential for nurturing entrepreneurial thinking. By shifting the narrative on success, Shift Canada aims to galvanize a new generation to take risks, try new ideas, and drive the country towards greater productivity and innovation Visit www.shiftcanada.org for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Andrea Carmona 
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Senior Manager of Public Affairs
andreacarmona@occ.ca | 647-234-0255

Sydney MacDougall
Forum Asset Management
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
sydneym@forumam.com