CREAGHAN MCCONNELL - Key Persons
He helps business families confront problems that are often avoided because a solution often seems impossible. For more than 30 years he has supported families in resolving their challenges - based on a special understanding of how owning a business affects family relationships. The confidence he offers families is rooted in a track record for removing barriers to a family's success.
Craig provides overall leadership to CMG in all aspects of our business. He helps to connect how we serve and support our business families with our own vision, a practical strategic plan for the future, and an inspiring culture that engages the entire CMG team. Craig knits together all of the key ingredients in what we consider to be CMG's compelling purpose: to help Canada's business families endure.
In 2014, Scott retired from Maple Leaf, intent on doing his own thing. His beloved Maritimes became a focus - he partnered with members of the Sobey family in a private equity investment company; and he acquired the Saint John, N.B. junior hockey team, the Sea Dogs. But his deepest satisfaction arose from his director's role at McCain Foods.
The company had continued to prosper as a professionally managed business, and family wounds had healed a bit with time. Harrison and Wallace, now deceased, had reached a measure of reconciliation before their deaths. Scott found he liked spending time with his cousins, including Harrison's son, Mark. They could disagree at the boardroom table and then go out and have dinner without any residue of ill will.
Job Titles:
- Founder of CMG, Visionary, and Leading / Advisor to Canadian Business Families
- S Founder
With sadness we announce the passing of Frank Creaghan, CMG's founder and visionary, who left us peacefully at his home in Toronto on June 26, 2023. Frank's large presence and unflaggingly optimistic spirit will be dearly missed by family, colleagues and friends at large, and, of course, all of us at CMG.
A public celebration of Frank's life will be held at the Granite Club in Toronto on Monday, September 25, 2023, from 4 - 7pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Born and raised in Quebec, Frank spent his formative years in Montreal and excelled in sports. After an outstanding athletic career at McGill, he graduated with a B. Comm in 1955 and started his business career with Procter & Gamble, a dream job at the time. But his feisty, entrepreneurial spirit would eventually lead to a dramatic career change under his great mentor and lifelong friend, Ralph Simmons, the visionary manager of the Toronto West agency at London Life. Ralph's passion for economic freedom and autonomy was a perfect fit with Frank's commitment to hard work and his dedication to excellence. It was a combination that led to his remarkable "first career" as a financial advisor advancing economic freedom for his clients.
Chapter two began, in 1987, at nearly 60 years old. Having achieved his own economic freedom, Frank teamed up with his son, Peter, and his son-in-law, Marty McConnell, to start a second career as founding partner at Creaghan McConnell Group. This became forever known as Frank's "retirement trick" - where he "ended" one career by beginning a new one that interested him even more.
Gary helps business families and their advisors navigate insurance and tax efficiency by leveraging his expertise in intergenerational sharing agreements and developing models to assess financial planning strategies.
Gordon Pitts is a journalist and author and currently holds the position of business writer in residence at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. Pitts, who worked in Canadian newspapers for almost four decades, retired in 2013 from The Globe and Mail's Report on Business, where he had been a senior writer.
Jen works with business families, focusing on supporting the rising generation. By providing personal support and sharing her experience, Jen aims to help family members make the best decisions for themselves and their businesses.
Kate supports business families on generational transitions, with a focus on life insurance and connecting business families' vision and values with their estate plans. She works closely with next generation family members providing support, advice and resources to help them successfully transition into leadership roles.
Kyle is a qualified actuary with expertise to help explain the complexities and benefits of life insurance to our business families. He provides clients with a better understanding of how factors such as age, health, and product adjustment can impact the pricing and value of various insurance products.
A key aspect to Marty's educational approach is that each family is clear on how they can adapt their plans to changing circumstances. Flexibility is an essential ingredient in any long term plan.
Marty is Past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), where he is currently active in a group consulting with the Ministry of Finance on a review of changes to exempt insurance. He and his wife, Claire, have three adult children and live in Toronto.
Matt advises business families we serve on multi-generational wealth transfer and stewardship, with a concentration on estate and succession planning, along with strategic insurance solutions.
Peter's process addresses key questions like: How much money will we need for our family financial requirements, such as estate taxes, buyouts of family owners, retirement of founders, and charitable legacies? When will the money be needed? What specific assets will be sold or leveraged to raise the cash? Is this our best option, or are there other better options?
Peter is a past Chair of the Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU). He and his wife, Nisha, have five children and live in Toronto.
Quillan provides strategic advice and guidance to business families on how best to plan for their futures, protect their legacies, and steward their wealth from one generation to the next. He helps business families understand tax and estate planning in way that reflects their personal and family goals.
Steve assists business families and their professional advisors to fully understand tax and estate planning matters - and how they connect to life insurance planning.
Vincent supports the business families we serve by helping to navigate their human and financial capital needs and develop a technical and family plan, with a particular focus on next generation readiness in the family.