| Office address | 1800 McGill College Avenue, Suite 2102 Montréal, Québec H3A 3J6 |
|---|---|
| Website | www.lesterasset.com |
| Year established | 1987 |
| Company type | portfolio management firm |
| Employees | 10 |
| Expertise | finance, equities, fixed-income securities |
| Parent company | N.A. |
| CEO and key people | Stephen Takacsy, President and CEO |
Lester Asset Management is an independently owned discretionary portfolio management firm based in Montréal. The company’s clientele is composed of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, trusts and estates, and institutional investors.
Lester Asset Management started out as Murray Lester Investment Counsel in 1987. It was named after Murray Lester, an engineer by profession who pursued his passion for investing after he retired.
Shortly after Murray Lester’s death, the firm changed its name to Lester Asset Management in 2006.
The company has had significant achievements in its short history. It became part of the Quebec Emerging Managers Program in 2019. It also became a signatory to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Investment in 2021. That same year, Lester Asset Management won a Global Manager Research Top Performer Award, followed by 2 more in 2022.
Lester Asset Management offers a wide range of investment products and services to institutional and individual investors, including:
The firm aims to grow its clients’ financial resources through responsible portfolio management.
Lester Asset Management has a strong investment culture based on several factors. First, they are active investors; they look beyond the index. Second, they believe in long-term investments. They apply patience and diligence in helping grow their clients’ investments.
They also believe in the potential of investments; they don’t fear volatility. Finally, the company upholds sustainable investment. ESG principles are integral to every step of the investment process.
Stephen Takacsy joined Lester Asset Management in 2006 as Chief Investment Officer, becoming CEO in 2017.
Takacsy has over 30 years’ experience in the Canadian finance industry. He has held senior positions at a number of major financial institutions, one of which was the Royal Bank of Canada. He is a highly respected figure in the Canadian investment industry – he appears regularly as a resource person on BNN Bloomberg.
Aside from his role as president and CEO, Takacsy is also engaged in charity work. He is a member of the Board of Governors of The Marianopolis Millennium Foundation and Chairman of its Investment Committee. He is also co-founder and Chair of Conservation Manitou, a charity that aims to preserve and protect the region around Lake Manitou.
Lester Asset Management has a strong track record of investment performance, a team of experienced and knowledgeable investment professionals, and a commitment to providing its investors with a high level of client service. Under Stephen Takacsy’s steady and reliable stewardship, the company will continue to fulfil its mission of responsible investing for many years to come.
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