Nigel Wright
RIP Nigel Wright
A personal remembrance of integrity, mentorship, and kindness.
A few weeks ago in early October 2025 my wife Mandy asked me if I had heard about the death of Nigel Wright. She knew Nigel from our time working in London as he often dropped by for a visit with Canadian friends.
“No! What happened?” I exclaimed – my mind raced and then some very old but very vivid memories surfaced, and, in a flash, I was back in an Edmonton board room on a dark, cold day in January 1996…
Our deal team (led by Nigel) was exhausted – diligence and negotiations that began in October had continued through December, keeping us from our families throughout the holidays … but a deal was on the table, Onex was about to purchase Vencap Equities Alberta and we were keen to wrap things up and get back to Toronto.
At the last minute, a surprise dispute arose over $5000 of expenses. Nigel wasn’t having it – f the drama – he got up, put his credit card on the table and said:
“Guys, let me cover it – my team wants to get home.”
Then my mind flashed back to my last day at Davies, Ward & Beck – it was late spring 1996 and I had just found out that unfortunately I was not getting a full-time offer. Dejected, I slunk off to my favorite coffee shop across from First Canadian Place to lick my wounds and contemplate my future.
Out of the blue Nigel shows up, pulls up a chair and apologizes:
“Fred – don’t take this the wrong way – you’ve got a lot of potential and I can see great things in your future. Stay in touch – I’ve got some ideas for you.”
I thanked him, (curious how he tracked me down), but didn’t think much of it—people often make promises that go nowhere.
Weeks later, I was in London working for a British law firm – a location change that I thought would help get my career back on track.
One afternoon that summer, I returned from a meeting to find a message to ‘call Nigel Wright in Toronto’ – pleasantly surprised I returned the call to see what was going on:
“Fred, I’ve been looking around and there’s a partner at McMillan Binch that’s building up a securities group and he wants to hire you. I gave him a great reference and I’m sure that you’ll do great things if you accept.”
Wow, I thought – Nigel does what he says. He didn’t just offer kind words; he opened a door and restored my confidence.
Much later, in 2014 when Nigel was in the Prime Minister’s office and the Mike Duffy scandal broke I recall thinking back to that Edmonton boardroom – the similarities were uncanny – Nigel sticking out his neck to help his team, thinking the parties were arguing over a trivial matter.
Nigel was a man of rare integrity who followed through on his promises and genuinely invested in the potential of others. Rest in Peace Nigel – your life was cut far too short, but your impact endures.
