Brookfield Asset Management's Brian Lawson named CFO of the Year for 2013

TORONTO, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Brian Lawson, Senior Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Brookfield Asset Management has been selected as Canada's CFO of the Year ™ for 2013. Canada's CFO of the Year Award is presented annually by Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada), PwC and Robert Half International. The award honours and recognizes the quality, insight, direction and leadership of Canada's senior financial executives.

"Brian exemplifies all the characteristics of a true organizational leader," says Michael Conway, Chief Executive and National President, FEI Canada. "He was instrumental in Brookfield's growth strategy and the diversification of its funding sources while successfully navigating the organization through a challenging global economic environment. Brian has also demonstrated strong social responsibility through his personal involvement in various charities and foundations."

Mr. Lawson was named Canada's CFO of the Year™ by an independent committee composed of several prominent members of Canada's business community. The judging criteria are as follows: vision and leadership; corporate reporting and performance; social responsibility; innovation and business complexity. Award candidates from a wide range of business sectors were nominated by CEOs, members of boards of directors, financial analysts and other senior executives.

Mr. Lawson has been with Brookfield Asset Management since 1988, initially focusing on restructuring, merchant banking and investment banking operations until his appointment as CFO in 2002.  In this role, he has served as an officer or director of numerous Brookfield investees and affiliates, and also is actively involved with the company's many investment committees. He is a graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto. Currently, he also sits as a member of the President's Investment Advisory Committee at the University of Toronto and, together with his wife, Joannah, is actively involved in supporting Community Food Centres Canada (an organization whose objective is to establish responsive, financially stable community food centres across Canada and working toward a healthy and fair food system).

"Canada's CFO of the Year Award celebrates a financial leader that exhibits strong business acumen and passion, both within the CFO's organization and the community-at-large," says Gino Scapillati, National Managing Partner, Markets, PwC. "We congratulate Mr. Lawson and are proud to be a part of the recognition of his success."

David King, Canadian Director of Robert Half Management Resources, adds, "The CFO plays a crucial role in ensuring a company's continued growth and success, particularly in these challenging economic times. This award recognizes a financial stalwart that demonstrates the ability to lead while also maintaining the integrity necessary to position the organization's role within the marketplace and the community."

Previous recipients of Canada's CFO of the Year Award™ include:

2012: Colleen Johnston, Group Head Finance and Chief Financial Officer, TD Bank Group
2011:  Gordon Maron, Chief Financial Officer, PCL Construction Holdings Ltd. (PCL)
2010: Cynthia Devine, Chief Financial Officer, Tim Hortons Inc.
2010: Richard Bird, Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Development, Enbridge Inc. *2010 had two winners
2009: David Garofalo, Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
2008: Bruce Waterman, Senior Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Agrium Inc.
2007: Marvin Romanow, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Nexen Inc.
2006: Karen Maidment, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer of BMO Financial Group
2005: Claude Mongeau, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of CN
2004: Peter Rubenovitch, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Manulife Financial Group
2003: Peter W. Currie, Vice-Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of RBC Financial Group

Canada's CFO of the Year Award 2013 is also sponsored by American Express, Invest New Brunswick, the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), Lerners LLP, Sherrard Kuzz LLP, and The Ritz-Carlton. The media sponsor is The Globe and Mail. Presentation technology for the gala dinner is provided by AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions.

Mr. Lawson will be honoured at a gala dinner on May 2, 2013. Media are invited to cover the gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Toronto. To indicate your attendance and arrange for interviews and camera space, please contact Abby Yung, 416-687-8644 or [e-mail].

For more information or to submit your nomination for the next Canada's CFO of the Year, please visit www.cfoy.ca.

About Financial Executives International Canada (FEI Canada)
FEI Canada is the all-industry professional membership association for senior financial executives. With eleven chapters across Canada and 2,000 members, FEI Canada provides professional development, thought leadership and advocacy services to its members. The association membership, which consists of Chief Financial Officers, Audit Committee Directors and senior executives in the Finance, Controller, Treasury and Taxation functions, represents a significant number of Canada's leading and most influential corporations. Further information can be found at www.feicanada.org.

About PwC Canada
PwC Canada helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. More than 5,700 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with close to 169,000 people in 158 countries. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ca.

© 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership. All rights reserved.

PwC refers to the Canadian member firm, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

About Robert Half International
Founded in 1948, Robert Half International (RHI) is the world's first and largest specialized financial recruitment service and member of the S&P 500. With over 360 locations worldwide including 22 in Canada, we have an unparalleled track record helping companies hire highly skilled accounting and finance professionals. From project consulting to permanent recruitment to executive search solutions, we provide clients with access to Canada's top talent. For more information, call [phone] or visit www.roberthalf.ca.

SOURCE: PwC Management Services LP

For further information:

For FEI Canada:
Christian Bellavance, 416.366.8007 ext. 5114, [e-mail]

For PwC:
Abby Yung, 416.687.8644, [e-mail]

For Robert Half International:
Nadia Santoli, 416.350.2330, [e-mail]