Fiera Capital Names Nicholas Smart Lead Portfolio Manager of Its Canadian Equity Strategies (opens in a new tab)
Fiera reorganized its flagship Canadian equity team after terminating its previous lead PM for cause, adding two senior hires.
Investment Management
Montreal-headquartered, TSX-listed independent asset manager spanning public and private markets.
Fiera Capital is an independent asset manager listed on the TSX (FSZ) and headquartered in Montreal, managing about C$163.5 billion as of June 30, 2026 for institutional, financial intermediary and private wealth clients. In Canada it has offices in Montreal, Toronto and Calgary, with dedicated Canadian institutional, private markets and private wealth teams alongside public equity, fixed income and private markets platforms (real estate, infrastructure, private debt). Institutional clients account for the largest share of AUM (about C$95.2 billion). 2026 brought leadership turnover: Global CEO Maxime Ménard took a medical leave in March and returned in April, and the Canadian large-cap equity team was reorganized in August.
6 interview reports0 open roles2 deals5 people18 sources
Pension, insurance and foundation mandates across Canada, led by Head of Institutional Clients, Canada Sarah Aves.
Flagship Canadian large-cap strategies (core, ethical, fossil-fuel-free, dividend) with about C$17.2 billion in AUM as of June 30, 2026; Nicholas Smart became lead PM in August 2026.
Real estate (incl. the Canadian Built Opportunities Fund), infrastructure and private debt; Fiera Infrastructure Private Debt had C$720 million in AUM at end-2025.
Private wealth and retail-market channels in Canada; the regional leadership page lists a Head of Private Wealth Canada and a Co-Head of Distribution, Canada.
| Montreal | QC | headquarters |
| Toronto | ON | office |
| Calgary | AB | office |
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Global President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive Committee
Sets Fiera's strategy and co-chairs its Global Investment Office. Previously President and CEO of Fiera Canada and Global Private Wealth, and before that President and CEO of Jarislowsky Fraser for nearly two decades. Returned from a medical leave on April 29, 2026.
Founder of Fiera Capital and Executive Chair of the Board
Executive Committee
Founder and Executive Chair; was Global CEO for more than two decades and now leads global asset allocation and co-chairs the Global Investment Office. Earlier co-founded TAL Global Asset Management in 1972; former lead director of the Bank of Canada board.
Executive Director, Global Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy
Executive Committee
Leads finance, corporate strategy and technology. Previously COO of Manulife Asset Management Canada and CFO of Manulife's global asset management business; began his career at KPMG.
Executive Director, Global Chief Operating Officer
Executive Committee
Oversees global operations plus HR, legal and compliance and corporate communications; with Fiera since 2019. Served as Interim Global CEO from March 20 to April 29, 2026. Previously a partner at Fasken practicing M&A and securities law.
Head of Institutional Clients, Canada
Regional Leadership (Canada)
Toronto-based head of Fiera's Canadian institutional client team, responsible for relationship strategy with pension plans, insurers and foundations; with the firm since 2021. Earlier in institutional relationship management at a Canadian asset manager and in investment banking at an independent Canadian dealer.
Professional information only, drawn from official biographies and published reporting. BSO never lists private contact details.
Aug 4, 2026
Nicholas SmartPromotion
Lead Portfolio Manager, Canadian Large Cap Equities
Fiera Capital → Fiera Capital
Took lead responsibility for Fiera's Canadian equity strategies (about C$17.2B) after the firm terminated the previous lead, Nessim Mansoor, for cause over alleged code-of-conduct breaches; Fiera also added two senior hires from another Canadian institutional manager.
Mar 20, 2026
Gabriel CastiglioAppointment
Interim Global Chief Executive Officer
Fiera Capital → Fiera Capital
Named interim Global CEO when Maxime Ménard began a medical leave; resumed his COO role when Ménard returned on April 29, 2026.
Apr 28, 2026
SOUL (271-unit purpose-built rental, Ottawa)
Co-investor / capital partner · Real estate (multi-family development)
Buyer Fiera Real Estate Canadian Built Opportunities Fund (partner with TCU Development Corporation)
Fiera Real Estate's Canadian Built Opportunities Fund partnered with TCU Development on a 271-unit rental project in Ottawa's Cyrville area, the fund's first real estate investment. Investment amount not disclosed.
Feb 24, 2026
Starlight (NextEnergy Group) - Alberta solar development portfolio
Lender · Renewable power / infrastructure
Fiera Infrastructure Private Debt closed a follow-on development capital loan to Starlight to advance its Alberta solar projects; Selkirk Advisory Group arranged the deal. Loan size was not disclosed.
Fiera reorganized its flagship Canadian equity team after terminating its previous lead PM for cause, adding two senior hires.
Up from C$160.2 billion at March 31, 2026.
Klaus Schuster appointed CEO, EMEA and Asia, based in London.
Ménard returned from medical leave about five weeks after Castiglio was named interim CEO.
Maxime Ménard began a medical leave and Gabriel Castiglio became interim Global CEO.
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Fiera Capital · Aug 4, 2026 · fieracapital.com
Fiera Capital · Jul 22, 2026 · fieracapital.com
Fiera Capital · Apr 29, 2026 · fieracapital.com
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Fiera Capital · Feb 24, 2026 · fieracapital.com
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Internship · Not specified
Fiera's careers site has a 'Global Internship Program' section and an intern testimonial (Performance team), but publishes no program details, locations or dates. Postings run through Fiera's Workday careers portal.
Typical background
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Large-cap platforms and global multi-strategy funds
Upper mid-market PE, infrastructure, the Maple 8 and large managers
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