This article is part of our Beyond the Family Business series.
Hosted by Luke Hansen-MacDonald, a second-generation family business leader, “Beyond the Family Business” is one of the most thoughtful and engaging podcasts about family enterprise in Canada. In the podcast, which Canadian Family Offices shares with readers every two weeks, Luke goes beyond the headlines with other leaders in family businesses and family offices to explore lessons they have learned and their successes and challenges.
In this episode of “Beyond the Family Business,” Luke sits down with Derrick Hunter, the second-generation CEO of Calgary-based Bluesky Equities, a family investment group that focuses on alternative strategies and one of Canada’s most active angel investors. The son of an oil and gas entrepreneur, Hunter talks about his strategies for navigating a complex investment landscape and managing the dynamics of succession and family communication to create a multi-generational legacy.
In his conversation with Luke, Hunter shares:
- How he transitioned Bluesky from an entrepreneurial oil and gas investment firm to a broadly diversified investment group.
- Why the tendency of entrepreneurial families to concentrate on the business that made them rich also brings risks to long-term wealth.
- How Bluesky’s investments in alternatives and seed-stage technology companies help mitigate risk.
- The Hunter Family Foundation’s rationale for making “big bets” in philanthropy.
- The importance of open, transparent communication among family members and the value of expert advice.
- The differences between the mindsets of G1 and G2, and why successor generations should be given “opportunity, not obligation.”
Previous episodes of “Beyond the Family Business” on Canadian Family Offices feature K.C. Daya, Jeffrey McCain and Ian Wilson.
For the full transcript of Luke’s conversation with Derrick Hunter, click here.
Disclaimer: This podcast is sponsored by BMO Private Wealth. The information provided in this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any organization or company. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any investment decisions.
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