Early Life and Education
Jack Lynn Cockwell was born on January 12, 1941, in East London, South Africa. He graduated from Selborne College in 1958 and later earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town in 1964, followed by a Master of Commerce degree in 1966.
Rise to Success
Cockwell's career took off in 1969 when he became a financial advisor to the Bronfman brothers. He became a pivotal figure in the expansion of the Bronfmans' Edper conglomerate, acquiring significant holdings in real estate, forestry, and mining. He orchestrated the merger of Edper and Brascan to form Brookfield Corporation in 1997 and served as President and CEO of Brookfield from 1991 until 2002. He is a shareholder of Partners Ltd, a private company that holds a majority voting share of Brookfield.
Key Business Strategies
Cockwell's strategic vision led to Brookfield's expansion into diverse sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, and private equity. He steered Brookfield to invest in utilities, transportation, renewable energy, and social infrastructure. He is known for his rigorous approach to investment and commitment to corporate governance, implementing robust frameworks to drive sustainable growth.
Philanthropy
Cockwell is committed to philanthropy and actively supports education, healthcare, and the arts. The Cockwell family has donated over $75 million to Toronto Metropolitan University. He also pledged $3 million to the Trans Canada Trail.