Bio

As a Partner of Founders, Derek acts as a Director of each portfolio company with a special focus on the long term growth strategy, M&A and Finance function. He contributes to Founders' origination of new platform and portfolio add-on acquisition opportunities, including negotiation, structuring, financing and execution of transactions. He is responsible for overall portfolio monitoring, participates in investment decision-making, and invests in all transactions. Founders is a family firm that combines 30 years’ private equity experience in over 80 companies with deep operating knowledge. The firm invests its partners’ own capital and focuses on applying operating know-how in medium-sized food businesses, with a view to building thriving organizations over the long term. Alongside his role in Founders, Derek is a Managing Director of Tricor Pacific Capital Inc. where he oversees Tricor's direct investments including as Chairman of the Board of Overland Container Transportation Services. Derek is also an owner and Director of Frontline Real Estate Services and formerly a Director of Prostate Cancer Canada. Prior to starting Founders, Derek had over fifteen years of combined experience in investment banking and private equity at Pender West Capital Partners Inc., Tricor Pacific Capital Inc. (Fund IV) and CIBC World Markets. He received his B.A. degree from Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH) and his M.B.A. degree from London Business School (London, UK). ​