CIBC announced today that Brent Belzberg will be joining the CIBC board of directors.

Belzberg founded Torquest Partners,, a Canadian-based manager of private equity funds, in 2002. He has more than 20 years of executive management experience in finance, acquisitions, corporate restructuring and operations.

Belzberg founded Harrowston Inc. in 1993 to acquire, invest in and build businesses. From 1991 to 1993, he was president of First City Financial Corp. From 1979 to 1993 Belzberg was an executive at the First City Group of Companies, which he subsequently restructured. Prior to 1979, he practiced law at Torys LLP in Toronto.

Belzberg currently serves as a director of O&Y REIT and Four Seasons Hotels, and has served on the board of a number of investee companies. An active community leader, he co-chaired the Toronto United Jewish Appeal’s 1999 campaign, raising a record $41 million. He is also a director of Mount Sinai Hospital, Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy and Toronto Community Foundation, and serves as an advisor to several faculties at the University of Toronto.

Belzberg, received a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen’s University in 1972 and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Toronto in 1976.