Bruce Flexman

President of the International Financial Centre BC

Bruce Flexman is the President of AdvantageBC. He was formerly Chair of the KPMG Board and Managing Partner of its tax practice. He is past Chair of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Tax Policy Committee, which includes the tax managing partners of the six largest accounting firms in Canada. Bruce is Treasurer and Board member for Vancouver Economic Commission, an agency of the City of Vancouver to strengthen the city's economic future. Bruce was also a member of the Vancouver International Financial Sector Steering Committee, which has been tasked by the BC Government to present recommendations to enhance Vancouver as an international financial centre.

During his tenure at KPMG, Bruce Flexman served on KPMG Canadian Board of Directors for 4 years and was elected Chair from 2001 to 2003. Bruce also served for two years on KPMG America's Board of Directors. He was also responsible for managing the KPMG's Tax Practice of approximately 900 tax professionals as well as serving as part of KPMG's executive management committee until his retirement in 2007. He brings a wealth of international experience from serving as one of six members of KPMG's International Tax Steering group tasked with coordinating the global tax practice. He is well-known in the Vancouver business community having served as KPMG Vancouver's Partner-In-Charge, Tax from 1995 to 2003 and Office Managing Partner of the New Westminster office from 1986 to 1989.

In 1989, Bruce transferred to the Ottawa office of KPMG to assist the firm in preparing for the introduction of the GST as its National Partner-in-Charge, GST. During the time in Ottawa, Bruce acted as Technical Advisor to the Senate Banking and Finance Committee on hearings into the GST. From 1991 to 1993, Bruce was on loan to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as Deputy Director General, GST Policy and Legislation. Bruce obtained a degree in Engineering Mathematics from Queen's University and followed that with an MBA with Distinction from Cornell University. After a short stint with the Ford Motor Company as a financial analyst, Bruce volunteered for two years as a Lecturer at the Zambia Institute of Technology under the auspices of Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) before joining KPMG.

Bruce is married to Dale, a communications and public policy consultant. He has four accomplished daughters (lucky man!): Alana (medical doctor and specialist in anesthesiology); Jennifer (PhD. in bio-medical engineering currently at University of Toronto); Molly (PhD. in bio-medical engineering currently with Philips Medical Research); and Tyla (former member of the National Women's Field Hockey team). After his family, Bruce's passion is running, having completed over 20 marathons (including 9 Boston marathons) and 1 sub 3-hour marathon. His active conditioning allows him to enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, kayaking, cycling and golf.

Bruce was awarded his FCA (Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia) for his service to the CA profession and community and currently serves on it's Member Recognition Committee. He is a past Governor of the Canadian Tax Foundation and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants and the BC Business Council. Bruce supports the Arts Club Theatre Company as a member of its Board and Foundation. He has rejoined the Board of Fraserside Community Services after being a founding Board member 25 years ago.

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