Canadian Securities Exchange Announces Departure of Thomas S. Caldwell from the Board of Directors

September 14, 2020 – Toronto, ON – The Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE” or “the Exchange”) today announced that Thomas S. Caldwell, who has served as CSE Chairman since 2012, is stepping down from this role effective today, and will retire from the Board of Directors at its upcoming Annual General Meeting. Steve Blake has assumed the role of Chairman. Today’s move is prompted by the implementation of a new recognition order for the Exchange from the Ontario Securities Commission that requires the Exchange to have an independent director serve as Chair of the Board.
 
Mr. Caldwell, the President and CEO of Urbana Corporation, played an enormous role in the CSE’s success. In December 2012, Urbana led the recapitalization of CNSX Markets Inc., which operates the CSE. Since then, he has been intimately involved in supporting the CSE’s strategy and spearheading its growth. At the time of Urbana’s investment, the CSE had 189 listings, average daily trading volume of 4.22 million shares, and a cumulative market capitalization for all its securities of $1.18 billion. Today, the CSE is a substantial global stock exchange with 607 listings, average daily trading volume of 101.62 million shares, and a cumulative market capitalization of $25.33 billion.

“It is impossible to overstate Tom Caldwell’s contribution to the success of the Canadian Securities Exchange,” said Richard Carleton, CSE Chief Executive Officer. “His knowledge of the stock exchange industry is unrivalled. The success we have achieved in capitalizing on growth opportunities, including those in the cannabis sector, is directly attributable to his leadership. To put it simply, the CSE would not be where it is today without him.”
 
“I couldn’t be prouder of what the CSE team has achieved over the last eight years,” said Mr. Caldwell. “Back in 2012, I recognized that Canada needed a strong alternative platform that truly met the needs of emerging issuers. Today, there is no doubt that the CSE has fulfilled its promise and is recognized as a preferred public market option for leading entrepreneurs. Indeed, it has surpassed my expectations by attracting listings from very substantial global companies.”

Mr. Blake has been a director of the CSE since June 2018, and has more than 20 years of experience in senior financial roles at a broad range of companies. He was most recently Chief Operating Officer of the Child Development Institute, an accredited children’s mental health agency in Toronto. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer for The Canadian Depository for Securities Limited.

“I am honoured to be named Chairman of the Canadian Securities Exchange,” said Mr. Blake. “While no one can truly replace Tom Caldwell, I am confident that we have an outstanding leadership team in place that is well equipped to drive the next stage of the CSE’s growth and continue to deliver superior service to all of its stakeholders.” 

About the Canadian Securities Exchange:
The Canadian Securities Exchange is a rapidly growing stock exchange focused on working with entrepreneurs to access the public capital markets in Canada and internationally. The exchange's efficient operating model, advanced technology and low fee structure help companies of all sizes minimize their cost of capital and maximize access to liquidity.

The CSE fosters positive working relationships with issuers, providing superior responsiveness to their specific needs. It offers investors in Canada and abroad access to a multi-sector stable of growth companies through a liquid, reliable and highly regulated trading platform. The exchange strongly supports entrepreneurship and has established itself as a leading hub for discourse in the entrepreneurial community.

For more information, please visit www.thecse.com and our blog at http://blog.thecse.com.

Contact:
Richard Carleton, CEO
416-367-7360
richard.carleton@thecse.com

(Departing CSE Chairman Thomas S. Caldwell)