Vice-President, Portfolio Construction & Analysis

Brent MacLellan has been in the wealth industry for a number of years, where he’s witnessed staggering growth and evolution. With a career spanning more than 20 years, Brent has led and designed sophisticated investment manager research processes for one of the largest asset managers in Canada. He’s also provided sophisticated portfolio model guidance and fund recommendations for one of the largest advisor distribution networks. Today, Brent draws on this experience to help ensure Canada Life maintains an industry-leading investment platform.

In his current role as vice-president, portfolio construction and analysis at Canada Life, Brent leads the IMR team within Wealth Solutions. His team is responsible for the evolution and enhancement of our wealth platforms. They ensure our fund managers are strong and high quality by carefully applying their industry-leading investment manager research process. Brent’s team also plays an active role in developing and managing the asset allocation protocol and fund selection for the goals-based managed program, Constellation Managed Portfolios.

In his previous role as vice-president, investment manager research at a large financial institution, Brent was responsible for helping advisors build their books of business through investment fund and portfolio recommendations. His portfolio construction, fund recommendations and thought leadership helped transform advisors’ practices to become more advice-focused, efficient and successful. "We wanted advisors to stop picking funds and creating asset allocations, and instead leverage our team’s investment expertise, recommendations and support so they could spend more time with their clients,” he says.

Even with his wealth of experience, Brent believes in continuous learning. He can’t resist clicking on headlines that might impact the industry today and tomorrow. He’s passionate about the investment industry and his role in it: “I get to apply my knowledge and experiences from over 20 years covering the Canadian wealth industry, witnessing the evolution of investment funds and working with advisors to help build and maintain an industry-leading wealth platform for this organization.”