Peter Merrick

Since the early 1990s, Peter’s career in business succession consulting and post-secondary financial education is unparalleled in depth and experience. He is considered one of the leading experts in business succession planning, risk management, estate and trusts, cross border planning and executive benefits and pensions in North America. Peter is sought out for his keynote speaking, his expertise in project management for business succession, his legal expert witness testimonials and his tax minimization planning solutions by some of North America’s largest public and privately held businesses, property owners, financial institutions, accounting and legal firms.

Peter’s current project is his fourth and recently released book called “The King of Main Street.” The theme of this book is business succession planning through mentoring of our next generation of societal leaders.

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Biography

Peter is the author of three business text books on tax minimization, business succession and estate planning and executive benefits: “The Essential Individual Pension Plan Handbook” (LexiNexis, 2007) and “The T.A.S.K – The Trusted Advisor’s Survival Kit” (LexisNexis, 2009). His latest book is called A.S.K. – Advisors Seeking Knowledge – A Comprehensive Guild to Succession and Estate Planning (LexisNexis, 2013). His books are used in post-secondary programs across Canada and are found in educational libraries throughout the English speaking world. These books have been referred to as “The Dr Spock references for succession planning experts, CPAs and wealth and risk management communities.”

Peter is a professional financial writer, with over 600 published articles to his credit. His articles, writings and interviews have appeared in such magazines, newspapers and periodicals as The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones, McLeans, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Toronto Star, CPA Magazine, Lawyer’s Weekly, The Bottom Line, Profit Magazine, MoneySense Magazine, Moody’s Corporation and numerous publications for LexisNexis Inc., Thomson Reuters and CCH Ltd.

Peter is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and holds the Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designation. He has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI), which is recognized as Canada’s highest honour in the financial services industry. As well he holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation with the Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada.

Peter is a regular business and financial television commentator on CTV Network. He is seen and listened to on CBC’s The National, CBC’s News Network, CBC Radio, The City News Channel, BNN, Sun News Network and CP24. During the past two decades, Peter has presented over 700 seminars, workshops and classes to such organizations as the Chartered Public Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), the Institute of Canadian Bankers (ICB), The Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA), The Canadian Securities Institute (CSI), Canada’s Credit Unions, The Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada (FPSC) and The Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA).

Peter is a professional public speaker who has achieved the Distinguished Toastmaster’s (DTM) designation, the highest level from Toastmasters International in the areas of public speaking and leadership. He has been a Master Practitioner and trainer in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) for over two decades. Peter is also a member of Mensa Canada.

Peter is most proud of his role in education where he has lectured and curriculum at several post-secondary institutions that meet the criteria for inclusion in multiple designations. These designations include the Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Public Accountant, Certified Human Resources Professional and Certified Employee Benefits Specialist designations. Peter enjoys most of all being an active mentor in the area of business succession and exit planning.

Peter’s current project is his fourth and upcoming book called “The King of Main Street.” The theme of this book is business succession planning through mentoring of our next generation of societal leaders.

Speech Topics

The King of Main Street

In this talk, you’ll hear about succession planning in a different way – the way of the Mentor. It’s succession planning with heart, and compassion and wisdom, taking into account how hard it is to not only let go, but what to leave behind. You’ll hear how to mentor those who will succeed you, how to help them become excellent leaders, while stewarding your legacy into the future. For anyone who owns a business, or has ever owned one, or will be talking one on – this talk is an absolute must hear.

From the back flap of the upcoming book:

When Michael meets Harold in what he thinks is a chance encounter in downtown Chicago, this young, cocky entrepreneur has no idea about the journey of self- discovery and growth he is about to embark on. This quest occurs over the course of several decades after Harold takes Michael under his wing. Harold has been crowned the King of Main Street, a title he has rightfully earned as one of the most successful businessmen to ever walk the earth. Harold instructs his young protégé about the most valuable discoveries, insights and lessons he has stumbled upon during his life’s journey. Michael learns what it takes for true success in living, business, mentorship, and succession. Harold shows him what is important in life for a man to leave a worthy legacy. But he also has much more instore for Michael than he could ever have imagined.

The King of Main Street is much more than an ordinary business book. This is an essential tale on how to achieve enduring business and financial success, succession planning, and mentorship, and it takes the reader on an adventure through some of the most important eternal truths. It is a story of life’s great hidden secrets that had been passed on from generation to generation but have been unfortunately forgotten by today’s society. The lessons taught by Harold and gifted to Michael and the reader can be applied directly to the challenges faced by business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs. The King of Main Street is both a reference guide and a literary work. It is an indispensable roadmap for anyone searching to find their rite of passage towards lasting prosperity and creating a unique legacy.

Peter Merrick

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