André Desmarais

André Desmarais
Name	André Desmarais
Birth date	1956
Birth place	Sudbury, Ontario
Occupation	Businessman, executive
Known for	President and co‑CEO of Power Corporation of Canada
Alma mater	McGill University
Spouse	France Chrétien

André Desmarais is a Canadian businessman and corporate executive, long associated with Power Corporation of Canada and a prominent figure in Canadian and international finance. He has held senior leadership positions in diversified holdings spanning insurance, asset management, and energy sectors, and is known for governance roles across numerous corporations, foundations, and public institutions. Desmarais's career connects him to major families, political figures, and multinational corporations in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Early life and education

André Desmarais was born in Sudbury, Ontario into a family with established ties to Canadian business. He is the son of Paul Desmarais Sr. and Claire Desmarais, and grew up amid networks that included relationships with figures from Quebec politics and Canadian corporate boards. He attended McGill University, where he studied business administration and completed degrees that prepared him for roles at Power Corporation of Canada and affiliated entities. During his formative years he developed connections with peers who later held leadership roles at institutions such as Royal Bank of Canada, Brookfield Asset Management, Sun Life Financial, and international firms headquartered in Toronto, Montreal, and London.

Career

Desmarais began his professional trajectory at subsidiaries and partner companies of Power Corporation of Canada, moving through executive ranks into senior management and board positions. He served as president and co‑chief executive officer of Power Corporation of Canada and held executive offices at Power Financial Corporation, shaping strategy across investments in insurance companies like Great‑West Lifeco and IA Financial Group. His career involved oversight of asset management interests including IGM Financial and strategic partnerships with European and Asian conglomerates such as Ikioi, AXA, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and other institutional investors. Desmarais has also been active on boards with ties to multinational corporations headquartered in France, Belgium, China, and Japan, and has engaged with regulatory and advisory bodies such as agencies in Ottawa and provincial authorities in Quebec.

Business interests and holdings

Throughout his tenure at Power, Desmarais influenced holdings encompassing life and health insurance, retirement services, and wealth management, with stakes in companies including Great‑West Lifeco, IGM Financial, and Canada Life. The group's portfolio has historically included investments in financial services firms like Putnam Investments, and asset management platforms with links to firms such as Asset Management One, Sun Life Financial, and institutional investors like CPP Investments and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Desmarais's responsibilities extended to energy and infrastructure projects involving partnerships with entities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and international partners in Europe and Asia Pacific. He has negotiated transactions and alliances touching corporations such as Power Corporation of Canada, financial institutions including TD Bank Group and Bank of Nova Scotia, and global insurance groups like Prudential plc and Allianz. His influence also encompassed private equity investments connected to groups like Brookfield Asset Management and strategic holdings in media and communications companies with histories involving La Presse, CBC/Radio-Canada, and private broadcasters in Quebec.

Philanthropy and public service

Desmarais has participated in philanthropic initiatives and served on boards of charitable and public organizations, contributing to cultural, educational, and health institutions. He has supported initiatives associated with McGill University, cultural institutions such as Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal, and medical research centres in Montreal and Toronto. His philanthropic engagements intersect with foundations linked to the Desmarais family and collaborations with donors and institutions including United Way, Centraide, and hospital foundations tied to institutions like Montreal General Hospital and CHU Sainte‑Justine. Desmarais has also taken part in public policy and advisory forums alongside figures from Canadian federal politics, provincial administrations in Quebec, and international economic summits involving delegations from the European Union, United States, and China.

Personal life and family

Desmarais is married to France Chrétien, daughter of former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, linking him to a prominent political family with deep ties to Liberal Party of Canada networks. The couple has children who have been involved in professional and philanthropic pursuits, connecting to Canadian business and cultural institutions. The Desmarais family maintains residences in Montreal and has affiliations with country estates and private clubs in regions such as Outaouais and Laurentides. Family connections place him among Canadian business families that have interacted with figures including Paul Desmarais Jr., Louis R. Chabot, and international partners in finance and industry.

Awards and honours

Desmarais has received recognition for business leadership and civic contributions from institutions and awarding bodies in Canada and abroad. He has been acknowledged by business associations, received honorary distinctions from academic institutions like McGill University and provincial bodies in Quebec, and participated in delegations at events such as meetings hosted by the Business Council of Canada and international commerce missions to Europe and Asia. His honours reflect roles in governance, corporate leadership, and philanthropic support of cultural and medical institutions.

Category:Canadian businesspeople Category:Power Corporation of Canada