David McFarlane
Partner
He/Him
Contact Info
Life at FGS Global
Advises clients on a variety of strategic, public policy, stakeholder and corporate positioning issues across multiple sectors.
Life Pre-FGS Global
Most recently, David spent four years leading a team of advisors and providing guidance to Canada’s Minister of ISED (Industry) on his entire portfolio. Prior to that he spent close to 5 years in the UK originating and developing investment projects to benefit the economic development of Québec.
Life Beyond FGS Global
David cannot rest from travel: he will drink life to the lees.
David McFarlane joined FGS Longview as a Partner following an extensive career that included vital leadership roles in the private and public sectors. David has decades of experience advising global and Canadian companies on a variety of strategic, public policy, stakeholder, and corporate positioning issues across multiple sectors.
From 2016 to 2020, David served as Director of Policy and ultimately Chief of Staff to Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. In that role, David led the delivery of Canada’s innovation agenda to Cabinet and the Prime Minister, introducing a suite of new programming including the Strategic Innovation Fund, and Canada’s first national AI and IP Strategies, while managing telecommunications policy, funding programs and relations with Canadian industry.
Prior to joining the government in Ottawa, David spent 7 years, including 4 ½ years as Director of the London UK office, with Investissement Québec, originating and developing investment projects to benefit the economic development of Québec.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the Université de Montréal and is a bilingual French speaker of native proficiency. He lives and works in Montreal, Quebec.
