Skip to main content

People

Kensington has an active Advisory Board of business leaders who provide strategic advice to our Firm. The Advisory Board holds formal meetings on a quarterly basis, with more frequent interactions on an ad hoc basis relating to specific issues. Our Advisory Board also provides advice to the Kensington Managing Directors where we encounter real or potential conflicts of interest. The thoughtful outside perspective of the Kensington Advisory Board is intended to ensure that Kensington consistently does the right thing with respect to its investors, its investments, and its other stakeholders.

Creating Value through Partnerships

Get to know our diverse portfolio of companies made of incredible people and businesses

Sean Aylward

Sean has excelled as a tax partner at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt, and as a private investor in several companies. His experience is particularly helpful in complex conflict matters and in ensuring that thorough documentation is in place at the time when decisions are being made.

Sean Aylward is a Partner in the Toronto Tax Department of Osler Hoskin & Harcourt primarily focused on commodity taxation, customs and related cross-border matters.

Sean co-owned and served as a Director of Riverfront Medical Services, at the time one of Canada’s largest privately owned third party medical assessment companies. He is currently a Director of a privately held company that is involved in enterprises including specialty finance and lending, real estate, and developing and marketing products for the sporting industry that will lead to early detection of concussion.

Sean graduated with a B.A. from the University of Ottawa in 1982. He obtained his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1985 and his LL.M. from the London School of Economics in 1988. Sean is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Tax Foundation and the International Fiscal Association.

Jeremy Freedman

Jeremy’s extensive experience in business strategy, client development, and operational management greatly benefits Kensington’s board of directors. His proven track record of growing assets and diversifying investment offerings provides valuable insights for strategic decision-making and operational excellence. 

Jeremy began his professional career as a trial lawyer with Davies, Ward & Beck (now “Davies”) in 1986. In 2000 he joined Gluskin Sheff + Associates, Inc., a single fund small-cap equity investment firm, as a Vice-President, responsible for developing business strategy and client development. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2001 and given responsibility for the Firm’s day-to-day operations. He was appointed President & CEO in 2010. After 15 years of leading the Firm, Jeremy announced his retirement in 2016. During this period, GS+A diversified its investment offerings to include hedge funds, fixed income securities and a variety of distinct equity offerings, with assets under management growing from $670 million to over $8.5 billion. 

Jeremy holds a Juris Doctor degree from Queen’s University (1982) and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1984. While at Queen’s he was elected Rector of the University and served in this capacity from 1980-1982. He earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School in 1986, graduating as a Baker Scholar. He is a member of several charitable boards, including those of the Diabetes Hope Foundation, the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, the North York General Hospital Foundation, and the Ronnen Harary Foundation. He also co-Chairs the Endowment Fundraising Campaign for Maccabi Canada. A father of three, Jeremy has had the privilege of representing Canada on five occasions in international Jewish golf competitions, bringing home four Gold Medals and a lifetime of memories. At the European Maccabi Games held in Berlin in 2015, Jeremy also had the honour of being selected as Canada’s Flag Bearer and considers leading Canada’s athletes into the stadium built for the infamous 1936 Olympics as one of the most important and moving moments of his life. 

Bradley Martin

Bradley brings over 25 years of executive experience from Fairfax Financial, along with extensive board leadership across diverse industries, to Kensington’s board of directors. His strategic insight and proven track record in aligning company goals with shareholder value growth significantly enhance Kensington’s governance and strategic direction.

Brad has been an executive at Fairfax Financial, a TSX-listed global financial company with revenues exceeding $35 billion, for over 25 years. Currently serving as Vice President of Strategic Investments and formerly the Chief Operating Officer, he brings a wealth of experience to his roles. Brad is also Chairman of Blue Ant Media, a Kensington investee company, and serves as a director of Eurobank Holdings SA, an Athens Stock Exchange-listed bank, and AGT Food and Ingredients, a Saskatchewan-based food processor. His past board memberships include Resolute Forest Products, Bank of Ireland, Hub International, and several other public and private companies. Brad’s involvement with these boards ensures strategic alignment with robust shareholder value growth, particularly in companies where Fairfax holds a significant interest. 

Barbara Stewart

Barbara has experience as a professional investor and as an author and speaker on women and finance. She helps with the ESG policies and programs that Kensington engages in and has international connections that help identify solutions in matters related to her field of research.

Barbara Stewart is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 33 years of investment industry experience; five years as a foreign currency trader, more than two decades as a portfolio manager for high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and for the past eight years doing interview-driven research for multiple global financial institutions.

Barbara is a keynote speaker for CFA Societies, banks, stock exchanges and industry conferences globally, and she is a columnist for CFA Institute, Canadian Family Offices and Canadian MoneySaver magazine. She is on the Advisory Board of Kensington Capital Partners and also is the Ambassador for the Kensington Women’s Forum.

Fifteen years ago, Barbara saw a need to challenge outdated financial industry stereotypes and share positive messages about women and money. Today, Barbara is recognized worldwide as one of the leading researchers in women and finance. Rich Thinking® global research papers quote smart women and men of all ages, professions and countries and are released annually on International Women’s Day, March 8. Barbara is honoured to be part of the Milken Institute’s Women’s Financial Security Initiative in collaboration with Gloria Steinem and Gloria’s Foundation.

To find out more about Barbara’s research, visit www.barbarastewart.ca.

Paul D. Allison

Paul brings over 37 years of extensive experience in wealth management, capital markets, and investment banking.

Paul D. Allison is the Non-Executive Chair of Raymond James Ltd., the Canadian subsidiary of Raymond James Financial Inc. From August 2008 until December 2021, Paul served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raymond James Ltd. Before joining Raymond James in 2008, Paul held significant roles, including Executive Vice President and Vice-Chairman of Merrill Lynch Canada, where he co-headed the Investment Banking business. His earlier experience includes being the Head of Equity Capital Markets at BMO Nesbitt Burns, contributing to the success of the bank-owned investment dealer.

Paul is actively involved in numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards. Currently, he serves on the boards of Raymond James Ltd., Raymond James Investment Services U.K., Raymond James Financial International, and Charles Stanley & Co., among others.

Paul has an M.B.A and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and management. Additionally, he holds an Advanced Certificate in Board Governance.