Collings, executive vice-president of investments at ACM Advisors Ltd., has seen some trying times in the financial industry in the last decade.
One of his most memorable career challenges was attempting to launch a mutual fund during the financial crisis.
“Getting through the compliance departments when everyone was cracking down on everything and we were trying to go the other direction, that was a very resilient time,” said Collings.
But Collings persevered, and he continues to do so. He was asked recently what he would do if he could start afresh; he replied, “Exactly what I am doing.”
Collings, who was born in Kerrisdale, completed his bachelor of business administration degree at Simon Fraser University in 2003 and, in 2010, acquired his master of business administration while raising a child, working through a promotion and simultaneously expanding the ACM business.
Collings began his career as a research analyst in investments at Cushman & Wakefield before moving on to become a senior analyst at Colliers International, a role he happily occupied for three years. From there, he settled into the role of director of retail funds at ACM.
Today, Collings is co-owner of the company that has grown from $1.3 billion under management to $2.7 billion in just over five years. Collings sources and underwrites over $400 million annually in successfully funded commercial real estate financings throughout Canada with a focus on B.C. and Western Canada.
What helps motivate Collings every day is the unpredictability of the work, with each day bringing a set of new challenges to overcome. It’s an attitude that one of his university professors inspired him to adopt, he said.
“If you are interested in what you are doing, you won’t find any obstacles – just things you need to get past so they won’t stop you from going forward.”
Collings has come full circle and lives in Kerrisdale now with his wife and three children, who like to spend free time taking part in various outdoor activities together.
Birthplace: Vancouver
Where you live now: Vancouver
Highest level of education: Master of business administration from Queen’s University
Currently reading: The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer – reading with my eldest daughter
Currently listening to: Radio – I like a mix
When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: Computer engineer
Profession you would most like to try: Being an entrepreneur in a smaller B.C. town, very different lifestyle
Toughest business or professional decision: Taking less salary in my first job out of school and after my second job. I knew that it was the better path long term but at the beginning it was a tough decision
Advice you would give the younger you: Always seek out paths that you are most interested about and see how you can align a job with that. Work and life overlap so much these days, so go all in
What’s left to do: Continue to raise my three kids and make time in busy schedule to always spend some quality time with them every week
Join us to celebrate the 2018 Forty under 40 Awards January 24, 2019, at the Vancouver Convention Centre. For tickets and event info visit https://www.biv.com/forty-under-40
