About
SeaFort Capital
Our History
We are a Canadian investment firm based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Founded in 2012 by a small group of private investors, including members of the Sobey and McCain families, SeaFort Capital partners with strong management teams to strengthen and grow profitable businesses.
Our Mission
To Build and Protect
We work to establish lasting relationships in the industries we target and we are active at the board level at each of our portfolio companies. This allows us to share our knowledge and experience without being intrusive. By investing in the growth of our companies and the development of their employees, we help build businesses that will endure. Our reputation is incredibly important to us and we work hard to uphold it.
Why Choose SeaFort
Patient Capital
We have permanent capital, which allows us to invest for the long term. We understand that business owners often struggle with succession planning and ownership transition. They care deeply about the people involved in their company and want to deal with investors that share their values. We know that top managers want to work with patient financial partners who will give them operating autonomy while providing the steady support they need to succeed. We are committed to preserving legacies while building genuine partnerships with senior managers
Investment Strategy
Maritime Values. Canadian Focus.
SeaFort Capital is active in all regions of Canada. Our previous investments have included:
Management Buyouts, where SeaFort Capital provides a supporting majority investment.
Growth Financing, where SeaFort Capital makes a majority investment in a business to provide capital necessary to support growth.
Carve-Outs, where SeaFort Capital partners with management to buy a division of a larger business.
Buyouts, where SeaFort Capital assumes full ownership of a business.
Our Criteria
Strategically Positioned
We look for businesses that enjoy a distinct competitive advantage or have an established position in an industry that exhibits barriers to entry. Consolidation opportunities are of particular interest to us.
Established Businesses, Traditional Industries
We look to invest in profitable businesses operating in the following industries: equipment service, manufacturing, distribution and business services.
Size of Investment
We target businesses that have earnings of between $2 million and $15 million, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Current Investments
Management Team
Rob
Normandeau
Managing Partner & President
Rob co-founded SeaFort in 2012. Prior to that, he served as CEO of a publicly traded investment company. He previously practiced law in the Toronto office of a major New York-based law firm, where he specialized in corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Rob was recognized in 2009 as one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. He holds a BA (Scholar’s Electives) from Western University, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and a Law degree from the University of Toronto. He is admitted to the practice of law in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New York. He has served on the Board for eight TSX-listed public companies and on several non-profit Boards, including the IWK Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. Rob also coached minor hockey and lacrosse for 12 years.
Matthew
Towns
Partner
Matt joined SeaFort in 2012. He was previously Vice President of Investments at a publicly traded investment company and has worked in equity research at RBC Capital Markets and at Imperial Oil Limited in various roles including treasury, risk management and business development. Matt is a CFA charterholder and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and an MBA from St. Mary’s University.
Stephen
Denton
Partner
Stephen joined SeaFort in 2012. He was previously Director of Research at a publicly traded investment company and prior to that worked in commercial banking. Stephen is a CFA charterholder and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and MBA from Dalhousie University.
Jack
Dallaire
Senior Associate
Jack joined SeaFort in 2019. He previously worked in RBC's Mergers & Acquisitions group and prior to that worked in corporate development for a publicly traded media company. Jack is a CFA charterholder, holds an MBA from Dalhousie University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of New Brunswick.
Matt
Beck
Controller
Matt joined SeaFort in 2021. He was previously an audit manager with BDO where he focused on audit engagements for offshore investment funds. Matt is a CPA registered with CPA Nova Scotia, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Dalhousie University. Matt is a member of the CVCA CFO Network and is a volunteer coach with Special Olympics Halifax.
Sonya
Ardley
Analyst
Sonya joined SeaFort in 2021. She previously worked in enterprise risk management at a publicly traded energy company and prior to that worked in corporate banking at Scotiabank. Sonya holds an MBA from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Acadia University.
Sue
Urquhart
Office Manager
Sue joined SeaFort in 2017. She previously worked in the health promotion field, with a specific focus on community mental health engagement and development. Sue holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from Dalhousie University.
Board of Directors
Scott McCain
Florenceville, NB
President, JSM Capital Corporation
Michael Milligan (Vice-Chair)
Toronto, ON
President, McCain Financial Advisory Services Inc.
Rob Normandeau
Bedford, NS
President, SeaFort Capital Inc.
James Dickson
Halifax, NS
Counsel, Stewart McKelvey
Rob Sobey
Stellarton, NS
Director, Empire Company Limited
Maxime St-Pierre (Chair)
Cheverie, NS
President, Gestion Maxime St-Pierre Inc.
SeaFort Scholarship
Rosaleen Ryel - Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, University of Toronto
Lauren Dinwoodie - Juris Doctor, University of Victoria
Alex Tremblay - DEC en Technique Informatique, Cégep de Jonquierè
Taylor Buchowski - Bachelor of Education, Laurentian University
Aziliz Duverger - Baccalauréat majeure n Biochimie at mineur en Biologie, Université de Moncton
Meghan Ryan - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Keyano College
Miranda Dinwoodie - Master of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia
Bronwyn Farcey - Bachelor of Science in Nursing, St. Francis Xavier University
Danielle McIntyre - Bachelor of Arts, Carleton University
Chloe Anderson - Bachelor of Health, University of New Brunswick
We are committed to investing in the long-term success of our companies and supporting their employees and families.
Applications for the 2022 SeaFort Scholarship open January 10, 2022.
In the News
Contact
SeaFort Capital
Please contact us at info@seafortcapital.com if you are aware of an investment opportunity that you think we should explore. We’d love to hear from you.
CIBC Building
1201-1809 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 3K8
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