Early Life
Bruce Flatt was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1965. His father was an executive at a mutual fund company. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Manitoba in 1985.
Rise to Success
Flatt began his career as a chartered accountant at Clarkson Gordon, later acquired by Ernst & Young. In 1990, he joined the investment division of Brascan, which later became Brookfield Asset Management. He rapidly rose through the ranks, becoming chief executive of Brookfield Properties in 2000 and CEO of the entire Brookfield organization in 2002. Under his leadership, Brookfield has grown into a global alternative asset manager with operations in over 30 countries. Flatt has overseen key acquisitions, including Olympia & York in 1996 and London's Canary Wharf in 2015, and the recapitalization of General Growth Properties in 2010. In 2022, Brookfield spun off its asset management business into a new publicly traded company. Brookfield Asset Management relocated its head office from Toronto to New York City in 2024.
Key Business Strategies
Flatt is known for his value investing style, long-term focus, and disciplined approach to investment. He has focused on acquiring high-quality, long-duration assets in sectors like real estate, infrastructure, and renewable energy. A key strategy has been the careful purchase of distressed assets, contributing to Brookfield's growth.
Philanthropy
Flatt is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and healthcare, through the Brookfield Foundation.