The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Oct. 25, edition that Wes Hall, who pioneered the proxy solicitation business in Canada, now faces challenges as his firm, Kingsdale Advisors, deals with internal turmoil and increasing competition. The Globe's Robyn Doolittle writes that during a leadership meeting in their Toronto office, sewage water spilled from the ceiling, forcing the group to evacuate while maintenance was called to address the issue. In a year of setbacks, the leak felt particularly poignant for Kingsdale, the shareholder advisory firm founded by Mr. Hall, a notable figure on Dragons' Den. Mr. Hall, also the chancellor of the University of Toronto and a prominent Black business leader, is the founder of the BlackNorth Initiative. Kingsdale has faced numerous challenges, including an executive exodus, a lawsuit over a toxic work environment, a high-profile activist loss and competitors capturing its market share. Early last year Kingsdale ended up on the losing side of a vicious proxy fight between Gildan Activewear and U.S. investment fund Browning West. Then, in the late summer of 2024, most of Kingsdale's executives walked out the door within a few weeks of each other.