Happy New Year, everybody!
The turning of the calendar is always symbolic, but to us at Odlum Brown, entering 2023 is a big deal. This year, we mark 100 years as a firm, and could not be more excited to celebrate with all of you!
I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on what makes Odlum Brown different, and what it is about our offering that has brought us to this milestone.
It should come as no surprise that our story is remarkable; after all, a lot happens in 100 years! 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 (you may have heard of this one) a global pandemic. Throughout all this and more, we have adapted, evolved and established our firm as a stable and trustworthy financial partner.
But how did Odlum Brown achieve this enduring success? What is the “secret sauce” of our longevity?
Simply put, 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. To eschew personal ambition and take care of one another. Looking back, this was remarkably forward-looking, and I’m sure they could not have conceived how far their vision would take us.
But for those of us who have stewarded this firm through the technological, economic and geopolitical upheavals of decades, it has remained our True North.
That’s not to say there haven’t been challenges, and I want to talk a bit about what it means to us to be an independent firm. Independence is not easy to maintain in this industry. For us, it has been worth defending – at times, fiercely. It is who we are, and it is 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 around what we are here to do: help our clients achieve their financial goals.
On the one hand, it is simple; on the other, it has taken a century’s worth of courage, conviction and sophistication to achieve.
It is why generations of investors have entrusted us with their financial futures.
Speaking of the future, I am very excited about what lies ahead for Odlum Brown. Oh, yes – at 100 years young, we are just getting started!
As we celebrate our 100th anniversary throughout 2023 and honour our rich history, we will also be looking forward to how we can build on this extraordinary foundation. How we will 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 affirm our place among Canada’s top independent firms.
One thing is for certain: our valued clients will be front and centre in our plans, and at the forefront of our yearlong festivities. I hope you will begin by attending our Annual Address next month to learn more about our story and our client-focused approach – and I especially hope you will stay for cake!
Happy 100th to all of my passionate, dedicated colleagues, past and present; to our indomitable community partners; and to all of our esteemed clients, who are the heart of Odlum Brown. I couldn’t be more proud to share in the accomplishment of a century with all of you.
To learn more about our 100th anniversary and share your Odlum Brown story, visit
odlumbrown.com/100.
To register for one of our upcoming Annual Address presentations, visit
odlumbrown.com/rsvp.