[2] André Desmarais is currently deputy chairman of the company his father took control of in 1968, Power Corporation, based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Power Corporation is an international management and holding company that focuses on financial services in North America, Europe and Asia.
He had started and owned an experimental[3] farm in Canada, as of 2018, when he was running Power Corp. with his brother Paul Jr., which at the time controlled companies such as Great-West Lifeco Inc. and IGM Financial Inc.[4] They both stepped down to board positions in 2019.
He continues to play an active role in the governance of Power Corporation and maintains his position as deputy chairman of the board.
[6] The Desmarais family invested in Rockefeller Capital Management in April 2023, providing $622 million from IGM Financial Inc. in exchange for a 20.5% stake and two board seats.
- 2003: Named an officer of the Order of Canada - 2009: Made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec - Doctorate honoris causa from Concordia University,[12] Université de Montréal and McGill University - President of the honorary members – lieutenant-colonel of the Voltigeurs de Québec.