Name Ian McKay | ||
Ian Gerard McKay (born 1963) is a Canadian who has worked extensively in business and politics. In September 2013, McKay was appointed CEO of the Vancouver Economic Agency, the City of Vancouver's economic development agency, tasked with broadening and strengthening the economic base of the city. Prior, he had served as the National Director for the Liberal Party of Canada from March 2010 to May 2013. He has been an executive in financial markets in New York, Tokyo, London and Vancouver and has served as a Senior Policy Advisor to three federal cabinet ministers in Ottawa.
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Early Life and Education
Ian was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, and was raised in Penticton, British Columbia. He is the youngest of five boys. In July 1980, he was sent by his hometown to live in the city of Ikeda, on Japan’s island of Hokkaido. At the age of 16, he developed a lifelong appreciation for the country and for its language. Upon graduating from Penticton Secondary School in 1981, he returned to Japan as a Rotary Youth Exchange student. Following his studies, Ian worked and lived in Japan over the course of 14 years.
Ian studied Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia; he received an MBA from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, in 2005.
Business Background - Financial Markets
Ian spent 18 years in the financial markets, working in New York City, Tokyo, London and Vancouver.
Immediately following his studies at the University of British Columbia in 1987, Ian was recruited as a derivatives broker by EuroBrokers Investment Inc. in New York. Subsequently, he was seconded to EuroBrokers Tokyo office, becoming Managing Director in 1994. In 1998 Ian went to London and became joint Managing Director of EuroBrokers International in London. From 2006 - 2009, Ian was Director of Business Development for ICAP Capital Markets (Canada) Inc, working in the energy markets in Vancouver and Calgary.
Political Involvement
Ian entered federal politics as a candidate for the Liberal Party of Canada in the 2000 general election, running as a candidate in the riding of West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast. He also served as the treasurer for the British Columbia Liberal Party.
In 2001, Ian moved to Ottawa and served as senior policy advisor to three federal cabinet ministers; Minister of Industry, Allan Rock; Leader of the Government in the Senate, Jack Austin; and David Emerson, Minister of Industry. In 2010, Ian was appointed as the National Director of the Liberal Party of Canada.