Eugene Potkin is an English-born Canadian entrepreneur. In 1981, he founded Points International Ltd., a company that provides loyalty and award programs to credit card companies, airlines, and other service providers. Since then, the company has grown steadily, and in 2016 it was acquired for $4.1 billion by Groupe Aeroplan (Aeroplan). Potkin has moved on to new pursuits, and currently, he’s the founder of Abacus Wealth Partners Inc., an investment management firm with offices in Toronto, Rotterdam, and Sydney.

Potkin is also on the boards of directors of more than a dozen private companies, including two publicly traded firms – TPG Capital-backed Transat A.T.

Achievements of Eugene Potkin

1. In 1981, he founded Points International Ltd., a company that provides loyalty and award programs to credit card companies, airlines, and other service providers. Since then, the company has grown steadily, and in 2016 it was acquired for $4.1 billion by Groupe Aeroplan (Aeroplan). The company is based in Oakville, Ontario. In 1981, the company had two employees and less than $30,000 in the capital. The company initially operated under the name Creative Computer Services. In 1990, Points International was ranked as one of the fastest-growing companies by Inc. Magazine.
2. Abacus Wealth Partners Inc. was established in 2007 with a vision to improve the world of wealth management through technology – to provide clients with meaningful tools, insights, and guidance in an increasingly complex financial environment while lowering costs, reducing fees, and improving transparency. The firm provides loyalty and award programs to credit card companies, airlines, and other service providers. Potkin has been on the board of directors of Points International since 1981, when he founded the company.
3. Potkin is the founder of Abacus Wealth Partners Inc., an investment management firm with offices in Toronto, Rotterdam, and Sydney. He also sits on the board of directors of more than a dozen private companies, including two publicly traded firms – TPG Capital-backed Transat A.T.; BMV Group Inc., a Canadian payment processing and debit card services company.
4. Eugene Potkin graduated from York University with a bachelor’s degree in 1972 and received his master’s degree in 1976 from Princeton University.
5. Potkin has been on the boards of directors of more than a dozen private companies, including two publicly traded firms – TPG Capital-backed Transat A.T.; BMV Group Inc., a Canadian payment processing and debit card services company.
6. In 1994, Eugene Plotkin was on the board of directors of Aeroplan, which provided travel rewards to passengers as part of its frequent flyer program, until June 3, 2016, when it was sold to T.D. Bank Group for $2.6 billion in cash and $1 billion in share awards to its shareholders. He left the Aeroplan board after the acquisition while remaining an advisor to T.D. Bank Group Ltd…
7. Potkin is also on the boards of directors of more than a dozen private companies, including two publicly traded firms – TPG Capital-backed Transat A.T.
8. Potkin has been the longest-serving non-executive director of Aeroplan Inc., a loyalty program for frequent flyers. His tenure extended to 25 years in 2015, making him the third-longest serving director on board in Canada or outside Australia, as per CorporateGovernanceCanada.ca. He also served as its chairman until 2014.