Mark Wiseman, the current senior advisor at Hillhouse Capital Group, is a name you may have heard of in the investment business industry. And while he has made some remarkable deals, has helped businesses grow, and has given unbeatable advice to others in the investment industry, you probably don’t know everything about him that you should. So, who exactly is Mark Wiseman? Well, here are a few facts you might not know.
He’s helping the Canadian government respond to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Coronavirus has impacted the entire world—and it’s clear that the economy is suffering greatly, with businesses being closed and people staying home more. But fortunately, Wiseman is using his knowledge, skills, and experience to offer advice to the Canadian government during this challenging time. In the midst of this global financial crisis, Wiseman strongly believes that the world economy will recover as long as government officials and business owners make the right decisions, and quickly.
He also puts a heavy focus on supporting small businesses during this time, since they often don’t receive the government support larger corporations do. “We have to be able to take drastic measures to protect small businesses: Those are the ones that are most vulnerable in terms of their ability and having the wherewithal to suffer the demand-shock. We have to ensure that we’re supporting critical industries through this effort…” Wiseman said. “At times like these, you don’t worry about budget deficits. You don’t worry about who’s going to pay for it. You just need to get it done.”
He puts his college degrees to use on a daily basis.
College degrees come in all forms and Wiseman holds two: a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). As a successful businessman, Mark recognizes how his MBA benefits him in his daily work tasks, with finances and numbers being a major aspect of the investment field. But he also acknowledges that his LLB has given him the logical and decision-making skills he needs to do his job. While his law degree may not seem relevant to some, Wiseman states that “…the overall ethos of that logical decision-making process that law school teaches you right from the first day, has been incredibly valuable in my career.”
He knows the importance of sustainability.
With climate change becoming a more pressing issue, many businesses are taking a closer look at their energy usage, waste, and overall sustainability. Being environmentally friendly is no easy feat but it’s important for everybody, especially large businesses, to do their part in battling climate change—and Mark Wiseman knows how important this is. Speaking about the value of Canadian energy and the growing importance of sustainability in business, Wiseman commented, “We’re showing time and again that companies that do a better job of having good practices around [Environmental, Social, and Governance] are the companies that are more valuable in the long term.”
He co-founded a non-profit investment development organization.
Focusing Capital on the Long Term (FCLTGlobal) focuses on developing research and tools that can aid in long-term investments. Mark Wiseman, of CPP Investments at the time, and McKinsey & Company joined forces to create FCLTGlobal after Dominic Barton, then-McKinsey & Company Global Managing Partner, wrote a strong call for action to encourage businesses to reform the long-term investment system. Today, FCLTGlobal aims to bring asset owners, managers, and other companies together to work towards more sustainable and balanced capital markets.
Mark Wiseman has many achievements in the investment world and he gladly shares his accomplishments and advice with others. And hopefully, you now have a better understanding of some interesting facts about him.
