Nicholas Smart will be sole lead portfolio manager for firm’s $17B Canadian equity strategies after the departure of co-lead Nessim Mansoor
Fiera Capital Corporation has appointed Nicholas Smart, CFA, as Lead Portfolio Manager of its Canadian Large Cap Equities team, effective immediately, following the departure of the previous co-lead.
Smart, who joined Fiera Capital, the Montreal-headquartered global asset management firm, in 2016, will now have sole responsibility for overseeing the Canadian Equity, Canadian Equity Core, Canadian Equity Ethical, Canadian Equity Fossil Fuel Free, and Canadian Equity Dividend strategies. The strategies collectively represent C$17.2 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026.
Smart was previously co-lead of the Canadian Large Cap strategies and brings more than 15 years of investment industry experience to the expanded role. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University and carries the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
"Nick brings extensive knowledge of the portfolios and the investment process," said Maxime Ménard, Global President and Chief Executive Officer at Fiera Capital, in a statement accompanying the announcement. "This appointment ensures continuity while strengthening the structure of the team."
Smart echoed that sentiment, noting that the firm's investment philosophy would remain intact. "That philosophy and process continues uninterrupted," he said.
Continuity at the core of the transition
The appointment comes after the termination for cause of Nessim Mansoor, who had been co-lead on the Canadian Large Cap strategies. The company cited alleged breaches of the duty of loyalty and violations of its Code of Conduct.
To support Smart in the transition, Fiera Capital has also added a new team member from a leading Canadian institutional asset manager. The unnamed addition brings approximately 20 years of industry experience and a specialisation in Canadian equity strategies.
Fiera Capital said the new structure reflects its commitment to a disciplined, fundamental, long-term investment approach focused on identifying high-quality businesses capable of generating strong absolute returns over time.
A firm with global scale and domestic focus
With approximately C$163.5 billion in total assets under management as of June 30, 2026, Fiera Capital operates across more than 12 cities globally, including New York, London, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi. Despite that international footprint, its Canadian equity franchise remains a cornerstone of the business and a key product for advisors seeking institutional-grade exposure to domestic equities.
The appointment is the latest in a series of leadership changes across Canada's asset management sector as firms navigate succession planning, investment team continuity, and the growing demand from financial planners and independent advisors for greater transparency around portfolio management transitions.
Fiera Capital has indicated that the investment process and team continuity are priorities. Advisors seeking updates on the firm's Canadian equity positioning or due diligence documentation should contact their Fiera Capital relationship manager directly.
