CAREER & BIO

Born and raised in Toronto, educated at University of Waterloo, Jim’s career has been driven through his home base in Calgary and today is a recognized and distinguished business leader in Canada.

Jim Davidson is the definition of a good businessperson, hardworking, fair, approachable, a mentor and community leader. Jim was most recently Deputy Chairman of GMP FirstEnergy Canada’s leading energy-focused investment bank retiring from that role October 2018. As co-founder of FirstEnergy in 1993, Jim focused on building a customer centric team to become the world’s premier choices for energy sector investment banking.

Jim leads through example and his open-minded collaborative approach ensures he insight is in high demand including in the business, community and political arenas. The national media often call upon Jim for his expertise in business, energy and investment banking.

Jim’s desire to be a teacher has been translated into a career of mentoring countless team members, charities and friends. He leads with integrity, hard work and passion.

Jim has been recognized for professional and community contributions. In 2016 he was both inducted into the IIAC Investment Industry Hall of Fame that honours excellence, integrity and leadership in Canada’s investment industry and was awarded by Oil Council a "Lifetime Achievement Award. Canadian Business magazine in 2013 recognized Jim as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Powerful Business People. Jim is recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Governor General of Canada. Previously Jim has been recognized as “Entrepreneur of the Year”, “Outstanding Calgarian”and one of Alberta’s most influential people.

Through Jim’s leadership GMP FirstEnergy won numerous awards for both business leadership and community service.   Previously, as FirstEnergy, the company was recognized as both “Best Place to Work” and one of “Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies” and the “Best Workplace for Volunteerism and Community Involvement.   In 2014, FirstEnergy was awarded the “Generosity of Spirit Corporate Philanthropist” award during the National Philanthropy Week.

Incorporating his core values Jim takes his passion for building a strong community to heart, translating his finely honed business skills and transferring them to significant outcomes for the city.  From infrastructure to the arts, Jim contributions have helped build skating arenas, animal shelters and recreational facilities. Jim’s most recent major project was as Chairman of Parks Foundations Calgary’s Fundraising Committee, where he helped raise $65 million for the Greenway Project.  Over the last 25 years, Jim along with his colleagues and clients have supported over 600 diverse charities to enable this groups to better deliver their unique offerings to best serve our community.

Jim’s stewardship with many boards have included tenure as governor of the former Alberta Stock Exchange, board of trustees of The Fraser Institute, Junior Achievement– Futures Council. He has also a member of The Executive Committee (TEC) an honorary board member for Memorial University of Newfoundland and Calgary Humane Society.

With the desire to see Alberta and Canada prosper, Jim wants to see Canada be great through this passion and commitment to inspire the next generation of CEOs, entrepreneurs, business people and politicians.