A word from the Honorary President
It was with a sense of pride and enthusiasm that I agreed to serve as honorary president for the 13th edition of PwC’s Business Transfer Awards, which recognize and promote Quebec-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have successfully carried out the business transfer process.
Private companies are the main driver of Quebec’s economy, while many are also spurring growth at the regional level. For entrepreneurs, transferring a company which they built and in which they invested countless efforts over the years is a milestone event. Reconciling the interests of business and those of the next generation can prove challenging, but this can be achieved with a little planning.
Each year, entrepreneurs (including family members and ownership teams) carry out business transfers by drawing on their reserves of courage, creativity and determination and adopting a forward-looking approach. That’s why I’m pleased to be associated with the Business Transfer Awards and to pay tribute to all those who meet this particular challenge. I hope their success stories will inspire other local entrepreneurs as they prepare to transfer their businesses with a view to ensuring the long-term viability and growth of Quebec’s entrepreneurial community.
Entrepreneur and investor Serge Beauchemin will be chairing the jury for the entrepreneurial transfers (non-family). He will be joined by Serge Gendron, president of AGF Group; Éric-Michel Hallé, coach for athlete entrepreneurs at the Beauce School of Entrepreneurship (EEB); Sylvain Garneau, president of Groupe Lacasse; and Claude Auchu, partner and CEO of lg2.
The chair for the family transfer component will be Martin Deschênes, vice-board chair of Groupe Deschênes. He will be joined by Caroline Thuot, president and CEO of Techno Diesel; Luis Cisneros, associate professor at HEC Montreal; Patricia Jean, vice-president, finance, Construction Albert Jean; and Julie Roy, president and CEO of Roy.
Since the Business Transfer Awards were launched in 2006, a total of 42 winning companies have inspired Quebec’s business community by sharing their experiences and success stories. I look forward to seeing you on May 27 for the unveiling of this year’s winners. In the meantime, best of luck to all the participants!
Serge Harnois
President and CEO
Harnois Énergies
