CANADIAN SUCCESSION PROTECTION COMPANY - Key Persons

Hugh MacDonald - Founder, President

Job Titles:
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Former CFO
  • Founder
  • President
  • CA, CFP, CLU, FEA
  • Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario
Hugh MacDonald is the President and founder of the Canadian Succession Protection Company. The company is a corporate life insurance agency that specializes in providing Liquidity and Harmony to the owners of family enterprises and their families on the death of the owner. Liquidity is achieved by designing customized tax-exempt life insurance strategies for the owner and Harmony is achieved by helping the owner and her family create a Succession Accord® which prepares the family stakeholders in their new role as owners, beneficiaries, and stewards of the wealth transferred. Hugh grew up and worked in his Family's 100 year old family business and has a keen understanding of the unique dynamics of a family owned business. Hugh pursued a career as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hugh spent most of his career managing the financial affairs of companies, small and large, primarily as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to becoming CFO, Hugh worked as Treasurer responsible for managing the corporate investments, including management of the various Pension Funds. Hugh also acted as the personal financial advisor for family, friends and the senior executives of the corporations for which he worked. Hugh is a graduate of Saint Francis Xavier University and received his Chartered Accountant designation in 1979. After the take over of the public company in which he was CFO in 1995, Hugh opened his own insurance and estate planning practice in 1996. As an independent financial advisor, Hugh is contracted to do business with several large highly-rated life insurance companies. He specializes in designing and implementing tax-effective life insurance solutions to business owners, top executives and professionals. In 2008, Hugh incorporated his agency to focus on helping business owners deal with their inevitable succession at death by designing insurance based solutions to protect the value and continuity of their business, and to create and communicate through feedback a Succession Accord®, which will provide greater certainty that the value of the business and the quality of the family relationships are preserved after the transition of wealth. Hugh works very closely with accountants and lawyers during the succession and estate planning process by acting as an independent life insurance resource professional. He adds value to their practices by designing innovative insurance strategies to minimize tax and to protect wealth for their clients. Hugh is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the Financial Planners Standards Council, Toronto Estate Planning Council, and the Family Enterprise Xchange.