Richard Abboud is the Founder and CEO of Forum Asset Management and the 2024 Ontario Chamber of Commerce CEO of the Year. With over 30 years of experience in alternative investments, Richard has built a reputation as a visionary leader with deep expertise in real estate development, infrastructure, private equity, credit, and public–private partnerships. He launched Forum in 1996 as a real estate brokerage and, by 2002, evolved it into a principal investment firm. Under his leadership, Forum has grown into a top-performing alternative asset manager with over $3 billion in assets under management.
As CEO, Richard is responsible for shaping Forum’s strategic direction, overseeing its investment activities, and leading a senior team focused on long-term value creation. His approach combines disciplined capital management with a commitment to innovation, performance, and impact. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to identify growth opportunities and deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns across diverse asset classes.
Richard has served on a number of not-for-profit boards and is an active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the Business Council of Canada. He is the Founding Chair of Shift Canada, a national initiative that equips young Canadians with the tools and mindset to embrace and learn from failure and develop their entrepreneurial spirit. Through educational resources and thought leadership, Shift Canada fosters innovation, ambition, and risk-taking—helping to shape a more dynamic and resilient economy.
Richard lives in Toronto with his wife and two daughters.
