Newcastle West Partners specializes in business continuity, with a focus on ensuring smooth transitions for companies led by retiring baby boom entrepreneurs. The firm’s philosophy views continuity as an ongoing, forward-looking process, far broader than succession alone. Many succession plans falter due to insufficient long-term planning, and Newcastle West Partners works to address these gaps early, safeguarding the future of each business.

John’s passion for M&A was sparked in 1997 when he was part of the due diligence team for the $2.9 billion acquisition of a publicly traded company. After 25 years in middle management, he pivoted to coaching and consulting in 2013, supporting businesses across industries. Recognizing a growing demand for exit strategies, John joined forces with Chartered Financial Analyst Tony D’Andrea to guide clients through the complexities of sell-side M&A transactions.

From 2018 to 2022, John worked with the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG), where he helped shape policies benefiting business owners. During this time, he collaborated with hundreds of leaders and politicians, gaining firsthand insight into the challenges of our dynamic business environment. John worked closely with Danielle Smith—now Premier of Alberta—together managing AEG through 2021 and 2022 before her return to politics. John is currently a member of the board of directors at AEG.

John is also a certified ValueBuilder®, leveraging principles from John Warrillow’s Built to Sell, and a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). Through these credentials, he helps business owners optimize the value of their companies by identifying and activating the eight key drivers that influence sale multiples.