Richard Laferrière began his career as an entrepreneur in communication and was cofounder and CEO of Groupe Coscient. His 35 years of experiences in the sectors of communications, show business, biotechnology, multimedia, IT technology and international distribution provided him with expertise in strategic planning and management, sales and marketing, international development and financing, mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Laferrière received an honorary degree from École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montréal as Bâtisseur du Québec in 1995, named Nouveau Performant in 1998 and a nomination as Bâtisseur of the 20th century by Commerce magazine in 1999. Since January 2015, act as Executive Coach PCC, and is a member the ICF Québec and International, is an Expert Mentor Coach for les HEC within L’école des dirigeants,Coach for the Centech of L’ ÉTS and President of CSL Solutions.inc. He is also membre of l'ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec.
Education
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Bsc. Es Sciences 1980
- Adm.A. administrateur agréé
École des Hautes Études commerciales
- Honorary degree as Bâtisseur in 1995
- Nomination a Nouveau performant en 1998
- Bâtisseur of the 20th century in 1999 by Commerce magazine
Executive Coach PCC and members of ICF Québec, ICF international and Coaching de Gestion
Summary of Skills
- Strategic vision and planning
- Business model innovation
- Business development and crisis management
- Team leadership
- International market development
- Marketing and product development
- Commercial / negotiation / sales
- Financing, mergers and acquisitions
- Board of director’s leadership, governance and policy implementation for governmental, private and publicly trade companies
Professional experience
2015 to date - CSL SOLUTIONS INC.
A consultation and executive coaching firm
Founder and President
2009 to 2015 - SOLUTIONS EXTENWAY
A company listed on the TSX Venture exchange, specializing in medical IT in the healthcare sector. Solutions Extenway has more than 30 employees.
Executive Chairman of the board;
• Implementation of strategic vision
• Sourcing of funding of 35M$ required to achieve the business plan
• Communication and relationship with shareholders and investors
• Canadian and international market development
2008 to 2010 - GDG ENVIRONNEMENT
An environmental company driving ecological solutions for better living listed on the TSX Venture.
Board member
2008 to 2010 - FRV MÉDIA
A company specializing in the international distribution and production of TV and film content with more than 30M$ in sales. FRV Média employed more than 100 employees.
Founder President and CEO,
• Strategic planning and funding of the business
• Mergers and acquisitions of enterprises
• International market development
2008 to 2015 - FRONSAC
Une fiducie de placement immobilier inscrite à la bourse du TSX Venture
Board member
2000 to 2006 - HR STRATÉGIE
A fund of fund management firm with more than 400M$
Member of the board
1982 to 2000 - GROUPE COSCIENT
A TV, film production and distribution company with subsidiaries in Montreal, Toronto, Paris and Los Angeles, with revenues in excess of $100,000,000 and more than 250 employees. Groupe Coscient was the first Canadian producer to list on the stock market, a major player in the consolidation of the Canadian market, a distributor for the major’s film studios and a dominant international player.
Cofounder President and CEO
1995 to 2011 - WARNEX
A life sciences company devoted to protect public health listed on the TSX specialized in biotechnology and analytical services.
Chairman of the board
1979 to 1982 - ALLIED CHEMICAL
An important chemistry company founded in 1920
Sales rep.
Affiliations
1988 to 1991 - Member of the board of SOGIC (SODEC
1996 to now - Member of WPO (world President Organization)
1999 à 2000 - Consultant for Innovatech Québec Chaudière-Appalaches
2000 to 2006 - Member of the Canada Council for the arts and member of the Investment committee
2007 to 2011 - Member of the board of the Hôpital Charles-Lemoyne
Member of the financial planning committee
2008 to 2011 - Member of the Board of the Quebec Biotechnology Innovation Center, a Worldwide leader biotech start up incubator
2008 to 2010 - Member of the board of HR Stratégie, a fund of fund management firm with more than 400M$
2013 to 2015 - Member of the Local Advisory Committee for the TSX Venture exchange
2015 to 2017 - Member of Groupe Relève Québec and of excellence committee.
2019 to 2023 - Member of l'ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec Adm.A.