In the wake of the Canadian federal election and a tumultuous April, on this episode of The Unlimited Podcast, Brian speaks with Jon Love, Executive Chair and Founder of KingSett Capital. You may recognize Jon from his prolific LinkedIn posts, where he frequently shares his insight on politics, Canada's priorities, and much more. Brian and Jon discuss the founding of KingSett, Jon's thoughts on the election outcome, Canada's path forward under Prime Minister Mark Carney, and more!
Jon Love is the Executive Chair and Founder of KingSett Capital, Canada’s leading private equity real estate investment business – now with a staff of 170 professionals in three offices, and AUM of $18 billion.
After graduating with an HBA from Ivey Business School, in 1976, Jon joined Scotia McLeod in Edmonton as a retail stockbroker, then joined Oxford Properties in 1980, eventually becoming President in 1987 and CEO in 1992. In 1995, Jon took Oxford public and 6-years later, in 2001, Oxford was privatized by OMERS in a $4 billion transaction.
In 2002, 6 months after “going dark”, Jon founded KingSett Capital.
Jon graduated with an Honours degree in Business Administration from Western University’s Ivey Business School, where he is an Emeritus Advisory Board member. In 2016 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Western University. Jon is a member of the Business Council of Canada, the Chief Executives Organization, and YPO. In 2023, Jon received the Ivey Business Leader of the Year Award, the NAIOP Rex Icon Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2024 the Fraser Institute’s Founders Award. In 2018, Jon was awarded the Order of Canada.
Timestamps
0:00 Disclaimer & Intro
5:51 Running Oxford in the 80s & 90s
10:21 Jon's favourite times in his career
12:00 Knowing when to sell a business
15:58 Founding KingSett after "Going Dark"
17:33 KingSett today vs. 20 years ago
19:38 Why does KingSett only operate in Canada?
22:00 Operating while being "Terrified"
24:38 Jon's biggest lessons
28:25 Implementing a succession plan
33:06 Jon's view on the Canadian federal election
40:00 Jon's recommendations for a housing plan
45:52 Investing outside of KingSett
47:30 Playing Offence
48:46 If Jon could do anything, what would it be?
50:30 Outro
