Paul Bates:  A Tribute to an Exemplary Man

The financial services industry lost a highly respected member of its community.  Dr. Paul Bates, M.T.S., DPT, FCPA, FCMA, CMC who was an exemplary, accomplished man, a fellow financial author and educator, an outstanding humanitarian and family man, and for so many of us, a true and dear friend. 

Paul had a storied career that included contributions in corporate (public/private), crown, regulatory, government, academic, and not-for-profit/community sectors.  He was a Fellow, Chartered Professional Accountant (FCPA), Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants (FCMA) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC). 

In his financial services career, Paul was a ‘C Suite’ investment services executive, with leadership roles raising capital, capital markets regulation; corporate and not-for-profit governance (public & private); compliance and product development/launches.  He was an expert witness and engaged in international consulting in the financial services sector. Paul was also a Member of the Expert Panel, for the Ministry of Finance of Ontario, to Review Regulation of Financial Advisors and Planning, which has resulted in the creation of new legislation to regulate the use of the Financial Advisor and Financial Planner titles.

In his academic career, he was Dean of the DeGroote School of Business from 2004 to 2010 where he was a visionary leader who oversaw the planning development and grand opening of the Ron Joyce Centre (RJC), DeGroote’s Burlington campus.  Thereafter, Paul focused on a portfolio of graduate-level teaching, governance and consulting, and in Corporate, Crown and Regulatory roles.  He was Vice Chair of the Independent Review Committee (IRC) for RBC Global Asset Management; Chair of the Treasury Board of Canada's NSERC & SSHRC Departmental Audit Committee; Chair of the Board of Directors: Verity International Inc. 

Paul was also a visiting Faculty Member and published author with the national educational institute, Knowledge Bureau. Paul last joined Knowledge Bureau at the Distinguished Advisor Conference in November of 2021, where he spoke to distinguished graduates and delegates about what leaders need to do to create a workplace which leads to complete human flourishing, a passionate thesis derived from his doctoral research on the workplace and leadership.  

Knowledge Bureau was honored to publish his book What I Have Learned So Far and How It Can Help You (co-authored with Al Emid).  He wanted to write this book for all his university students to send them along with some important tips for navigating their road through life. Paul believed that if experience is the best teacher, this book could help the reader take a seat at the front of yet another classroom which told the life stories of the trials and tribulations of 50 outstanding Canadians who learned to overcome obstacles on their journeys.   
Such a large and impactful presence; a life so well lived; so many outstanding contributions.  Paul, thank you for all of it.  You will be deeply missed.  It was an honor and a privilege to know you and work with you. 

Paul’s obituary can be found here: Paul Kevin Bates Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (kitchingsteepeandludwig.com)