Mark Squire resigned as president and CEO last week after six years leading Verico Financial Group, a decision he called timely.
“It’s time,” Squire told Canadian Mortgage Trends Reflecting on his tenure at the Independent Brokers Network in a conversation.
Since taking on the role in 2019, Squire has helped Verico navigate the challenges of the pandemic, strengthen its connections with brokers across Canada and earn a reputation as a leader who listens first.
“Sometimes it feels like everyone is pushing their own agenda that others are not being listened to,” he said. “I think a lot of licensees would say: I listened to them and I’m really interested in helping them grow their business.”
People-oriented approach
It was this passion for listening to the needs of others that originally attracted Squire to the mortgage industry, and later to Verico’s unique network model.
Squire began his career with CIBC in 1989 and spent the next 18 years serving in various parts of the organization.
“Back in 2003, I was the Mortgage Business Development Manager at CIBC and I loved it. It was the best job in the bank,” he said. “You help salespeople find solutions, and salespeople provide solutions to customers, and that’s what I love. It’s a people-first business.”
Squire said that as he got further into the mortgage industry, first with CIBC and then National Bank, he eventually met Verico founders Colin Dreyer and John Kelly.
“I was blown away by them and the brand,” he said. “I’m very impressed with Verico’s value proposition and content, and from what I can tell, if I were to leave the lender business and move to the broker side, I would choose Verico.”
The opportunity finally presented itself in 2019 after M3 Mortgage Group acquired Verico in 2017. At the time, Squire said his only mission was to carry the brand’s torch and maintain its mission of supporting agents within the network.
“Part of my role is to make sure we can give them more tools, more products and more solutions for them to choose from,” he said, adding that he ran into trouble soon after joining. “One of my early claims to fame is that I’ve been president longer during COVID than I’ve been out of office.”
Build community outside the office
Squier is also known in the industry for hosting the annual Donna Squier Charity Golf Tournament, an event he started in memory of his late wife that quickly grew to far exceed his expectations.
“At the Celebration of Life, I announced to friends and family that I would host a mini golf tournament in 2022 to raise funds to establish a bursary in her name to support international nursing students,” he said. “Some of my friends are also people in the industry, and the number of people there suddenly increased from 25 to 250, as I thought.”
After three successful editions, Squire announced that the 2025 event would be the fourth and final edition, a decision he said had nothing to do with his subsequent departure from Verico. “It was never intended to be an annual event,” he said. “The entire industry has just come to support me and my family, and I’m so humbled and honored for that.”
Colleagues and independent business owners in the Verico network recall Squire’s desire to build relationships and listen to the needs of those he was charged with supporting.
“Mark’s leadership is most evident in the quiet moments: the calls he makes when things get difficult, the way he listens before making decisions, and his willingness to confront difficult conversations head-on,” said Patrick Soy, principal broker and executive vice president at Integrity Mortgages. “Mark shows that when integrity leads, loyalty and success naturally follow.”
“Everyone who knows Mark knows they can rely on him,” said Cecilia Ramos, principal broker and CEO of Mortgageville. “He was instrumental in promoting a greater market to support entrepreneurship.”
“Mark has been a great partner to the brokerage community, helping brokers succeed,” said Jim Tourloukis, president of Verico Advent Mortgage Services. “On a personal note, Mark has also been a good friend who has been willing to listen and help us navigate this market over the years.”
what happens next
Squire said it’s those relationships he misses most.
“I miss the people here,” he said. “I miss the licensees, the management team. I love Verico, I love everything it stands for, and I miss it already.”
While Squire isn’t quite sure what comes next, he said it won’t be retirement.
“I’m probably old enough,” he joked. “But I love this industry, I love the people here, and I want to continue working in this industry in some form.”
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Last modified: October 24, 2025
