Partner, vice president & Chief People Officer
Charles is responsible for HKMB’s Human Resources strategy and implementation, and is a member of HKMB’s Management Committee.
Charles brings over 15 years of executive level HR experience to his role at HKMB. His broad and varied range of HR expertise includes labour negotiations, employment law, compensation, pension and benefits as well as employee communications and speech writing.
Charles calls Toronto home but began his career in Montreal in the newspaper and printing business where he became heavily involved in labour relations and contract negotiations. He returned to Toronto to take on a broader HR role with Maclean Hunter Limited, a diverse international communications company. When Maclean Hunter was purchased by Rogers Communications in 1995, Charles continued as head of HR for Rogers Publishing Limited for several years. Later, he worked as a consultant to Corus Entertainment, one of Canada's largest media companies. He joined HKMB in early 2004.
While at Maclean Hunter/Rogers, Charles created a highly regarded HR function. Notably, he was responsible for the implementation of an Employment Equity Program for the cable, radio and television businesses, and for building a top-notch Training and Development department. Charles was also involved in a lead role in first contract negotiations that resulted in breakthrough collective agreements for the television and publishing businesses in Canada.
Charles has a strong business focus which he brought to bear as a key player in the growth of a New York City based Rogers subsidiary that saw sales expand from US$600,000 to US$15 million over five years.
Charles, who is bilingual, holds an Honours Economics Degree from McMaster University. He resides in Toronto, is married and has two children.
