The Q&A With Robert Morton – Toronto Executive, Former CFO Of Home Capital Group Inc.

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Rob Morton is the Founder and Principal of RLM Consulting, a Toronto-based strategy and operations consulting firm with particular expertise in new product development, organizational effectiveness, change management, and strategic planning.

With broad experience as a Chief Financial Officer for two major financial services companies, including most recently Home Capital Group Inc. and Home Trust Company, Rob is an accomplished leader in financial, strategic and general management. He also has extensive experience serving on and interacting with boards.

Below is our recent interview with Toronto executive, Robert Morton.

Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief background of RLM Consulting? What makes it unique as a consulting firm and the services it provides?

Robert Morton: Yes, thank you for the opportunity. Based in Toronto, RLM Consulting is a strategy and operations consulting firm with expertise in new product development, organizational effectiveness, change management, and strategic planning. RLM Consulting is unique because collectively, we can help strengthen your operations and prepare you for change while managing costs across the organization. We focus on today’s most critical operational challenges such as: Strategy planning and development, organizational effectiveness, cost reduction and performance improvement.

Q: Can you tell us a little more about your career history and how your applying what you have learned in your career to leading RLM Consulting?

Robert Morton: When I decided to branch out on my own, ideally I wanted to do something that would translate two decades of experience to a new venture. Prior to founding RLM Consulting, I served as CFO for two major financial services companies. I have extensive background working in securities, asset management, equities, capital markets, and mutual funds. I spent 3 years with Home Capital Group Inc., where I was responsible for all aspects of financial support, treasury, strategic and capital planning/development, procurement and investor relations for Home Capital and Home Trust. And for over 21 years, I served in a capacity of roles at State Street Bank, most recently as the Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at State Street Canada as well as the Principal Officer of State Street Bank and Trust Company – Canada Branch and the President of State Street Fund Services Toronto Inc. I’ve also led numerous Canadian and global merger and acquisition (M&A) due diligence projects and business integrations and had the opportunity to manage, train, develop and mentor a diverse staff of over 60 professionals worldwide.

Q: The need for business performance management has never been more crucial. Can you describe what your process is when you work with your business clients to improve their strategy and operations?

Robert Morton: A talented and skilled workforce is the lifeline of any organization. In order to build an empowered team, companies should work towards a management cycle where ongoing support and improvement is at the forefront of importance. Organizational effectiveness is key. By applying proven best practices, RLM Consulting helps your organization operate at high levels of efficiency, maximizing your business’ performance while reducing costs. Additionally, RLM Consulting works with business leaders to ensure that the right measures are implemented and that early indicators are used to identify shifts in key forecasted components.

Q: In addition to your career accomplishments, you sit on the board of several community organizations, such as New Hope Non Profit Dwellings (Durham) Inc. in Oshawa. In addition, you help out organizations like Hockey Canada. Can you describe how your board work has impacted your career or vice versa? For example, have you been able to apply skills developed in your career to your various board opportunities?

Robert Morton: Having spent the majority of my career sitting on various boards, I know firsthand how much it can improve your leadership and personal skills. Anything that gets you around the same table as other leaders who you can learn from is extremely valuable. The exposure allows you to observe how other leaders tackle problems and how they carry out certain tasks. In turn, it allows you to pick the characteristics you admire most and incorporate them into our own repertoire. The most important benefit of sitting on a board is that it allows you to make a difference. You can play a key role in the success of another company or non-profit while at the same time, tackling an issue that is close to your heart.