Early Life and Education
James Bruce Flatt was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 1965. His father was an executive at a mutual fund company, which sparked Flatt's early interest in business and finance. He attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1987.
Rise to Success
Flatt's career began in 1990 when he joined the investment division of Brascan, the predecessor to Brookfield Asset Management. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the chief executive of Brookfield Properties in 2000. In 2002, Flatt was appointed CEO of the entire Brookfield organization. Under his leadership, Brookfield has become one of the world's largest alternative-asset managers. Flatt is known for his value-investing style and his ability to identify and capitalize on opportunities in the market.
Key Business Strategies
Flatt's investment strategy focuses on long-term value creation. He emphasizes the importance of buying high-quality assets and holding them for the long term, generating strong returns over time. His approach involves making large bets when he sees an opportunity. Flatt has overseen key acquisitions, including a majority stake in Oaktree Capital Management in 2019. He is also known for taking companies private when public markets undervalue them.
Philanthropy
Bruce Flatt is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly in education and healthcare. Through the Brookfield Foundation, he has supported initiatives that provide underserved communities with enhanced opportunities for quality education and medical services.
