Harry James
Harry’s financial services career started in 1980 with Canada Trust, his experience spanning from retail banking to corporate trust services. In 1984 he established his own financial services firm under the banner ‘Harry James & Associates’ offering general financial planning and various insurance solutions. Over four decades Harry’s unique ‘advice for real life’ philosophy became synonymous with objective financial advice and caught the attention of a public company which acquired his firm, Harry James Financial in 2007. A serial entrepreneur he, along with his team, has built numerous businesses in many sectors including, aggregates, restaurants, real estate, and hospitality. As a Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter Harry is a key member of the estate planning team at HJ Group. Harry personally believes retirement is as toxic as smoking and as such he will avoid it at all costs. The next chapter of his career (chapter free as he likes to call it) is devoted to encouraging, inspiring, motivating & educating based, not only on his many successes but more importantly the black belt in failures he’s earned along the way. You can learn more about Harry’s ‘Live Real’ philosophy with the link below.
Mark Lyons
Mark joined HJ Group in 2022, re-uniting with Justin after previously working together at a notable brokerage firm. In January 2023, he became a Partner, and was appointed as President. Mark has a degree in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Law, from England. In 2007, he migrated to Toronto, Canada, where he began his career in group benefits and individual insurance. Mark has gained diverse experience, having worked at a boutique benefits consultancy, an insurance division of a multi-national corporation and the largest benefits consulting firm in Canada. His background spans partnering with for-profit and not-profit organizations, assisting with harmonizing, re-designing, managing and consulting their group benefit plans. Mark’s legal background has been pivotal in his success, as it developed his diligence, and helps him in identifying contractual errors with plan design set up. Mark brings his passion in the field, and hands-on relationship-based approach to the table, and will deliver strategic solutions every step of the way.
Justin James
Justin is a passionate entrepreneur who, along with his team, built a premier employee benefits firm. More than ten years ago he identified that while the market was extremely saturated, very few advisors provided objective advice. Justin sought to create a unique brokerage that put client’s interest first. He believed if you pursue money and titles they would elude you, however if you worked in the best interest of people, achieving your goals would be a by-product of such focus. His prior experience as a benefits consultant at notable firms such as ADP, gave him a well-rounded understanding of the benefits landscape, employer challenges & a knack for recruiting top tier advisors that has helped crystalize the HJG vision. His unique approach to the business has caught the attention of seasoned leaders in the industry resulting in opportunities for him and his colleagues to serve on numerous advisory panels. HJG’s contacts and reputation throughout the industry have become invaluable when advocating for clients’ needs.