President's Message

This year, Odlum Brown celebrates 100 years as a firm – a very exciting milestone! 

This has led me to reflect on what makes Odlum Brown different, and what it is about our offering that has led to a century in business.  

Since our founding in 1923 by two Canadian military officers – General Victor Wentworth Odlum and Colonel Albert Malcolm “Buster” Brown – this firm has forged ahead through the Great Depression, World War II, the Great Financial Crisis and, most recently, a global pandemic. Throughout all this and more, we have adapted, evolved and established our firm as a stable and trustworthy financial partner.  

I believe the foundation of this enduring success is shared values and a common purpose.  

Our founders had a vision to follow the Golden Rule. To do the right thing. To act in the client’s best interests. This was remarkably forward-looking, and for those of us who have stewarded this firm through a century of change, it has remained our True North.  

At the heart of this is Odlum Brown’s independence, the critical differentiator that enables us to do what we do best: put our clients first. 

Because we are independent, our clients know that every recommendation is objective and every trade is suited to their individual goals and circumstances. Because we are independent, our team members share in the success they help create, as we remain 100% employee-owned to this day.  

This creates powerful alignment throughout Odlum Brown to help our clients achieve their financial goals.  

It is why generations of investors have entrusted us with their financial futures. 

As we honour our rich history, we also look ahead to how we can build on this extraordinary foundation. How we will grow and provide a large-scale offering to clients while maintaining a small-firm feel. How we will broaden and deepen our community impact across geographies and generations. How we will preserve our status as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and affirm our place among Canada’s top independent firms. At 100 years young, our story still has many exciting chapters to be written. 

I truly could not be prouder to share in the accomplishment of a century with my colleagues, our esteemed clients and Odlum Brown’s community partners, all of whom have made us who we are for generations.

Debra A. Doucette
President and Chief Executive Officer