John Nicola

A veteran of the financial services industry since 1974, John provides strategic leadership to Nicola Wealth, exercising his passion for providing innovative solutions to clients’ complex problems.

His areas of expertise include investment management, estate and financial planning, as well as business planning with a focus on best practices for wealth building, exit strategies, and shareholder agreements.

In 2011, John was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Financial and Professional Services, Pacific Region). In 2015, he was named B.C. CEO of the Year (Small-Medium Private Company) by Business In Vancouver. In 2016, he was recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired CEOs. Recently, he won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Pacific Region) and was one of the ten National Winners of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2022 National Award. In 2023, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Wealth Professional. In 2025, John was inducted into the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame., recognizing his decades-long contributions to business and philanthropy. He was also named to Vancouver Magazine's 2025 Power 50 List alongside David Sung, highlighting their shared commitment to giving back.

John currently serves as Chair of the Nicola Wealth Board of Directors. Additionally, he is a Founding Member of CALU (Conference for Life Underwriters) and has continued to contribute to the organization for example, by serving as Chair for the 2003 annual meeting.

John has used his business acumen to help develop and grow several not-for-profit organizations over a number of years. These include Covenant House, an organization providing safe housing and holistic care to at-risk youth ages 12-24, The Pivot Law Society, a volunteer legal society defending the underrepresented issues facing Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, and Bulembu International, a foundation dedicated to helping an abandoned African mining village become self-sufficient.

• For all interviews and media inquiries please contact Victoria Emslie at media@nicolawealth.com.