Celebrating 15 years of financial service

Cecil’s journey into wealth management began in 1987 and shifted after taking an intense three-year training program at Dundee Securities in 2006. Of the 30 participants, only 13 completed the program, with Cecil earning the top mark. This rigorous training laid the foundation for Alitis’ investment philosophy, centered around a pension model that emphasizes diversification and risk management.

Alitis’ approach involves investing in a base of publicly-traded investments and then adding meaningful allocations to private assets like real estate, mortgages, equity and debt – assets that don’t trade daily, which helps reduce volatility. “This is how we give clients a superior investment experience,” Cecil explains. “By using a pension or endowment model, we can manage risk more effectively.”

Cecil breaks down Alitis’ success into five essential components: generating positive returns most years; avoiding significant losses; charging fair fees; providing clear and understandable reports; and offering exceptional personal service.

“Exceptional personal service is what really differentiates Alitis,” Cecil says.  “Our portfolio managers are highly qualified investment professionals, bringing extensive expertise to the industry.”

The firm’s client base has grown significantly over the years, with many clients staying loyal even after moving away. “People moved away but didn’t want to leave us. They stayed with us, and now they refer people where they are.”

Cecil with his wife Kathy at the Comox Office Grand Opening.

Now enjoying the rewards of his hard work in retirement, Cecil reflects on his 15 years with Alitis and looks forward to the future of the employee-owned investment firm.

“When I was planning my retirement, I had a decision to make. Many people just sell their company, take a big check and let a larger firm from a bigger city take over. Rather than selling the company, I chose to make the firm employee-owned – something I hadn’t considered 15 years ago but now take great pride in. This approach ensures that our company remains independent and focused on providing a great experience for our clients,” Cecil says. “Another advantage of employee ownership is that our client’s success is directly aligned with our team’s success – if clients do well, the owners of Alitis do well!”

Clients of Alitis are invited to join the celebration on Thursday, September 19. For more information, please visit the event page here.