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About GBL

As an independent consulting firm, we offer specialized retirement planning, taxation, and actuarial knowledge and a portfolio of business financial solutions tailored to small to mid-sized corporations.

Meet GBL

As one of Canada’s leading independent experts on Individual Pension Plans (IPPs), Retirement Compensation Arrangements (RCAs) and Health Benefit Plans (HBPs), GBL brings to Canada’s financial advisor community specialized retirement planning, taxation, and actuarial knowledge coupled with a portfolio of business financial solutions tailored to small to mid-sized corporations. We also specialize in corporate Defined Benefit (DB) solutions and Fair Market Valuations (FMV) of insurance.

Our Story

Founded in 1995 by Gordon B. Lang, GBL brings unique expertise to help small business owners and incorporated professionals solve their tax and retirement planning challenges. Since inception, GBL has helped its clients across Canada establish more than 2,000 Individual Pension Plans (IPP) and more than 500 Retirement Compensation Arrangements (RCAs). GBL is also a recognized leader in Fair Market Valuations (FMV).

Our Team of Experts

  • Navaz Cassam bio picture

    Navaz Cassam

    FCIA, FSA, CERA, President


    Navaz is GBL’s President and Chief Actuary. He oversees the GBL organization, and is also responsible for the consulting and actuarial services for GBL’s products including IPPs, RCAs, DB pension plans, FMVs, and health benefit plans for both active and retiree employee groups. He has over 20 years of actuarial experience and brings a diverse range of skills to GBL including strategic planning, cost containment solutions, and tax strategies. Navaz is committed to growing the GBL brand and ensuring GBL continues to be a market leader. When he is not working, Navaz enjoys spending time with his family, and working on his slice on the golf course as he pursues his dream of joining the Senior PGA.

    LinkedIn

  • Gordon B. Lang bio picture

    Gordon B. Lang

    FCIA, FCA, Founder


    Gordon founded Gordon B. Lang and Associates Inc in 1995. Born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, he worked as an actuarial student with a life insurance company in Edinburgh in 1959 as a student of Faculty of Actuaries in Scotland. After moving to Commercial Union Life Assurance Company in 1964, he joined their Montreal office. In 1967, Gordon received his Fellowship in the Fellowship of Actuaries in Scotland and in the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. In 1976, he moved to Commercial Life as Vice President and Chief Actuary. In 1978, Gordon became a full-time Consulting Actuary with TA Associates, subsequently Sedgwick James, and rose to the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Actuary. He and his family moved to Calgary in 1987 where he reopened the Calgary Pension and Benefits Consulting Practice. As a result of the purchase from Sobeco Ernst & Young of its Calgary Pension Consulting Practice in 1995, he and his wife, Louise, formed Gordon B. Lang & Associates Inc.

    LinkedIn

  • A. David McFarlane bio picture

    A. David McFarlane

    MBA, FCIA, Senior Vice President, Actuarial


    David graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University in 1965 and a Master of Business Administration in corporate finance from the University of Toronto in 1971. Subsequently, he became a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. In 1979, David moved to Calgary with the head office relocation of The Sovereign Insurance Group to become the Executive Vice President and Actuary for The Family Life Assurance Group of companies. Since 1982 David has been working primarily as a consulting actuary and has developed a practice in assisting mid-career and older Canadians in the use of tax assisted savings vehicles to attain retirement planning objectives. In November 1993, David and Price Waterhouse entered into a joint venture under the name of McFarlane Price Waterhouse Consulting Limited. The primary focus of the company was to develop the Individual Pension Plan market in Western Canada. Effective April 30, 1996, by mutual agreement, the joint venture was terminated, and McFarlane Amerlee Consulting Limited was established. As of January 1, 2020, and almost 25 years later, McFarlane Amerlee Consulting Limited became part of GBL and David continues to be a leader specializing in the establishment of Individual Pension Plans as well as providing creative tax effective pension related solutions to Canadians. David also enjoys playing competitive squash and has represented Canada internationally numerous times.

  • Fraser Lang bio picture

    Fraser Lang

    CFP, CHS, Senior Vice President Sales & Business Development


    Fraser is dedicated to strengthening the brand of GBL as a market leader in IPPs, RCAs, and other strategies. Working directly with our corporate partners, Fraser is instrumental in educating their advisor networks and implementing tax saving and retirement asset building for their clients. Whether it he’s doing speaking engagements, one on one client meetings, or other ventures, Fraser prides himself on building relationships.

    LinkedIn

  • Margie Benedict bio picture

    Margie Benedict

    CEBS, Vice President, Plan Administration


    Margie oversees GBL’s IPP and RCA plan administration team, monitoring plan and trust compliance, regulatory filings, plan audits, retirement and plan windup. Margie spends her free time in the kitchen, gardening, and entertaining friends.

    LinkedIn

  • Laura Davis bio picture

    Laura Davis

    FCIA, FSA, Vice President, Actuarial


    As the manager of GBL’s actuarial department, Laura trains and supports our actuarial analysts and oversees the completion of the actuarial valuation reports. She also consults with clients on their more technical aspects of retirement planning, including IPPs, RCAs, corporate DB plans, and consults on group retirement solutions. Laura also provides actuarial consulting services to clients accross Canada. When she’s not doing complex math equations (which she enjoys!) she’s strapping up her skis and hitting the slopes, and enjoying the restaurant scene in Calgary.

    LinkedIn