Founder and President Harvey A. Lawton started his career in the insurance industry in 1973, following in the footsteps of his father Daniel Lawton. Under his leadership over the past 30 years, The Financial Benefits Group has grown into a diverse team of experts and professional advisors serving clients throughout Western and Northern Canada, from Victoria to Inuvik, out of our headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta.
Daniel W. Lawton retired from the Canadian Military (achieving the rank of Captain) after years of active service in WWII in Northern Europe, and began his practice in the fledgling Life Insurance industry in Canada. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, and serving all of Vancouver Island, he demonstrated his leadership abilities and quickly rose from supervisor duties to being asked to establish a new branch office in Edmonton. Over the next five decades, Dan helped lay the groundwork for financial security and had a hand in protecting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Canadians. Known for his unwavering ethics and strict disciplined approach to personal risk management and estate planning, Dan became a manager and mentor to hundreds of agents and advisors, with offices across Alberta, B. C., and the Northwest Territories. Amoung those Dan influenced were his own two sons, each of whom followed in Dan's path and became respected and successful financial advisors.
In a very short time Harvey made a name for himself, becoming both a valued advisor to hundreds of families and businesses throughout Alberta, and a leader and manager of dozens of insurance agents and financial planners. With operations in Edmonton, Calgary, and Grand Prairie, Harvey helped to shape the careers of many of today's most trusted advisors, while building a reputation as a knowledgeable, professional, and dependable partner to his clients.
After 25 years as the manager of one of the largest insurance agencies in Canada, Harvey moved into full time development of The Financial Benefits Group. Using all the skills and knowledge acquired over many years at the forefront of the insurance industry, he began to shape our organization into a leading advisory firm for individuals and small businesses. Today, we consult with some of the largest financial institutions in Canada, and offer close professional relationships with general insurance brokers, lawyers, accountants, and other service providers to assist clients in all aspects of their insurance and asset management needs.
As our business has grown, we have continued to partner with people who can
offer the highest level of service and advice to our clients:
Seema Leon joined The Financial Benefits Group in the spring of 1999, bring with her more than 30 years of financial planning expertise. Seema is known for treating her clients like they are nothing less than family, and she has brought to the company an attitude of caring and concern that goes far beyond most people's preconceptions of this industry. Seema continues to consult for us; coaching, advising, and passing along knowledge to ensure her clients enjoy the outstanding level of service to which they have become accustomed.
After returning to Canada from his tour of duty in Afghanistan, Matt Young joined The Financial Benefits Group as a finance and investments consultant. An Accounting major at the University of Alberta's School of Business, as well as pursuing a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation, Matt partners our tradition of military service and discipline with the most cutting-edge information and research in the industry, offering The Financial Benefits Group and our clients an invaluable resource for their tax and investment strategies.
The family tradition continues as Michael Lawton was added to our team of
advisors in January of 2007. Michael had been working in the finance
district in Toronto as an Investments Specialist for two major
institutions, and now uses that experience to offer recommendations and
support to our financial planning services. He is also our specialist on small
group employee benefit packages and group retirement plans, helping
businesses attract and maintain staff in a very competitive labour
environment.
At The Financial Benefits Group, we believe everyone has the right to control their property while they are alive; take care of themselves and their loved ones in the event of a disability; give what they want, to whom they want, the way they want, when they want; and to the greatest extent possible, save every last tax dollar, professional fee, and court cost they can. It is our pleasure, and our privilege, to assist you in achieving these goals.