Nisreen Balh is the new head of expansion (real estate) Canada at Stockholm-based global design company H&M Group (HNNMY).

“I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as head of expansion (real estate) Canada at H&M Group!” said Balh on LinkedIn.

“I started my journey with H&M as a project manager in 2016 and in 2019 I left to expand my career in design, construction, and strategy.”

Previously, Balh spent time at CHANEL, M Moser Associates and Gensler, in addition to her time with H&M. She also worked as design and construction lead with Yum! Brands, and as project manager retail division at Progest Construction.

Balh earned a master of engineering, civil engineering steel structures at McGill University, as well as a bachelor of interior design (CIDA Accredited) with the Academy of Design, RCC Institute of Technology. 

“After 7 years, my journey continues with H&M with more experience and more drive, and excited to take on H&M’s portfolio in Canada with an incredible team,” she said.

Jarvis new VP at Canaccord

Veronica Jarvis has been named vice-president, investment banking real estate at Canaccord Genuity Global Capital Markets (CF-T).

Previously, Jarvis was vice-president at Slate Asset Management for more than six years. She worked in various government positions in the past, in addition to working at McMillan Vantage Policy Group and Nanos Research.

Munn new interim CEO of GVR

Craig Munn was named interim chief executive officer of Greater Vancouver REALTORS (GVR) on Oct. 6.

Previously, Munn worked as chief corporate development officer on strategy implementation, stakeholder engagement and corporate communication with GVR.

He previously served GVR as the vice-president of communication and events where his responsibilities included internal and external communication, media and public relations, content strategy, issues management and stakeholder engagement.

Overall, he has spent almost 20 years at the association.

Prior to joining GVR, Craig was the press and public affairs officer at the British Consulate General in Vancouver and a reporter for various community newspapers in B.C.

Master Group names Langelier president

HVAC-R distributor Master Group has appointed Rémy Langelier as president.

He will succeed Louis St-Laurent as chief executive officer in the first quarter of 2027, according to the firm.

St-Laurent will continue as chief executive officer through the transition, then remain with Master through December 2027 in a mentoring role.

“Rémy brings that depth and understanding, along with the experience, judgment and commitment to continue to lead Master forward,” St-Laurent said.

Langelier most recently led the company’s enterprise transformation program.

“My focus will be to build on that foundation and concurrently realize the many opportunities that lie ahead. I look forward to working closely with Louis and our leadership team as we continue to serve our customers and grow the business,” Langelier said.

Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que.-based Master Group is Canada’s largest HVAC-R distributor.

nesto CEO, co-founder named EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Malik Yacoubi, chief executive officer and co-founder of nesto, a Montreal-based mortgage technology and financing provider, has been named the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Eastern Overall Award winner.

“Malik saw an opportunity to rethink how the home-financing industry operates and had the vision and determination to turn that opportunity into a reality,” Walid Safi, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year eastern program co-director said.

“By continually pushing conventional approaches and investing in innovation, he’s helping reshape the lending experience for Canadians and inspiring the next generation of builders.”

Yacoubi has more than two decades of experience building and scaling companies. nesto was founded in 2018.

RBC GAM appoints Gill as global head of private markets

RBC Global Asset Management (GAM) (RY-T) has promoted Brandon Gill New as global head of private markets.

Based in Toronto Gill will be responsible for leading the firm’s private market strategy, and for expanding the offerings by asset class and geography to both institutional and retail clients. This includes Canadian real estate, global infrastructure and Canadian commercial mortgages.

She succeeds Michael Kitt in the role, following his transition to vice-chair with RBC GAM late last year.

Gill New has more than 25 years of global investment experience. Most recently, she was managing director and head of external partnerships, public equities at Alberta Investment Management Company, one of Canada’s largest pension funds.

Before that, Gill New held increasingly senior roles at OPTrust, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and BMO Capital Partners.

“Having spent my career investing across public and private asset classes, I’ve seen firsthand how private markets can enhance portfolio diversification and resilience, while delivering long-term value for investors,” Gill New said.

Since formally launching its private markets solutions in 2019, RBC GAM has grown this to over $15 billion in client investments and it contributed towards achieving RBC’s target of $1.1 trillion in assets under management by 2029.