A Bit About Ian
Ian Glassford's background in the financial sector and cooperative systems is
distinguished by his involvement in transformative projects. Ian has vast and
profound experience in organizational leadership, strategy, regulation and
governance.
At the forefront of regulatory evolution, Ian played a pivotal role as a key resource to
the Canadian government during the amendment of the Bank Act, allowing for the
creation of Federal credit unions. His insights facilitated the establishment of federal
credit unions, navigating regulatory intricacies while fostering cooperative growth and
innovation.
Ian's strategic leadership within management teams overseeing numerous credit
union mergers stands as a testament to his ability to navigate complex transitions
and drive operational excellence. Under his stewardship, a $10 billion province-wide
credit union emerged, acclaimed as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies,
marking a milestone in cooperative consolidation and effectiveness.
His commitment to excellence in organizational capacity building and governance is
evident in his creation and execution of a comprehensive national training program in
governance and leadership for credit union directors. By equipping directors with
these essential skills, Ian empowered smaller credit unions to thrive in a dynamic
financial landscape, fostering resilience and sustainability within the cooperative
sector.
Ian's innovative approach to profit sharing underscores his dedication to member
prosperity and inclusive cooperative principles. Through strategic planning and
creative communication, Ian spearheaded a profit-sharing program that disbursed
over $750 million to members over a decade, championing financial equity and
community empowerment.
In collaborative efforts with financial regulators, mentorship contributions, and
dynamic leadership highlight Ian’s unique abilities in strategic thinking and
unwavering commitment to cooperative values. Ian is also a well-respected speaker,
nationally and internationally.
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Ian enjoys learning, at times more than he does working, and his wanderings have taken him to an MBA (Ivey School of Business), the Harvard Negotiation Institute (Harvard Law School), the ICD designation (Institute of Corporate Directors), Partner Directors and Officers (Canadian Securities Institute) and a Bachelor of Commerce (University of Alberta).
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At various times Ian has called Canada, the United States, England and briefly (but very happily) Monaco home. He now lives in Edmonton where he can be found exploring the river valley, tinkering on cars, trying to grasp quantum physics and Stoic philosophy but most of all reading in the back yard.