Toronto, May 14, 2025, xNorth participated in the CEO Club Lumières roundtable, organized by the France Canada Chamber of Commerce. This exclusive event brought together senior executives from leading French and Canadian companies for an in-depth discussion on the current state of the economy and its implications for businesses operating in Canada.
Benoît Creneau, CEO of xNorth, took part in the session, contributing insights from the executive interim management perspective.
Sector Diversity and Executive-Level Dialogue
With strong representation across industries—including energy, luxury, engineering, banking, services, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, immigration, and manufacturing—the roundtable offered a valuable platform for C-suite leaders to exchange perspectives in a trusted, peer-driven environment.
The session was co-chaired by Sonja Volpe (CEO, BNP Paribas Canada) and Grégoire Collignon (President, Chanel Canada), and featured a powerful keynote from Frances Donald, Chief Economist at RBC.
Key Economic Insights from RBC’s Chief Economist
Frances Donald provided a grounded and forward-looking view of the Canadian economy. Key highlights included:
- No imminent recession, but a cautious start to 2025 is expected
- Shift in trade patterns, with decreased exports to the U.S. offset by increased global diversification
- Strategic potential in natural resources, especially critical minerals vital to the global energy transition
- Strength in creative and service sectors, positioning Canada as a global leader beyond traditional industries
- Canada remains a solid option for investors, offering stability, talent, and long-term resilience
A Platform for Collaboration and Impact
We thank Riva Walia and the entire FCCCO team for delivering another impactful event. We also appreciated the presence and support of Bertrand Pous, Consul General of France in Toronto, who reinforced the importance of strong cross-border business ties.
For xNorth, this was also a timely opportunity to share how we help companies navigate this evolving business climate. Our interim executive solutions enable organizations to move faster by bringing in leadership that delivers, especially during moments of change, uncertainty, or transformation.
About xNorth
xNorth, as part of the Valtus Alliance, is a trusted provider of interim leadership solutions across North America. Our network of experienced interim executives ensures that businesses facing transformation, leadership transitions, or crisis management have access to top-tier expertise. We provide hands-on, results-driven leaders who step in quickly to address strategic challenges and drive measurable impact.
At xNorth, we understand that each organization has unique needs. Whether it's optimizing operations in manufacturing, navigating post-merger integrations, leading large-scale digital transformations, or stabilizing financial performance during a restructuring, our interim executives bring deep industry knowledge and a pragmatic approach.
With a proven methodology that includes rapid assessment, execution, and seamless handover, xNorth ensures that organizations benefit from both immediate leadership and long-term sustainability. If your company is facing a critical transition, we are here to help you navigate it effectively and position your business for future success.
