Career Biography

Rick Benwell graduated from Dalhousie University with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Laws in 1987. In addition, Rick also holds a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma in Engineering, from Dalhousie University, which he obtained in 1983. Following his call to the Nova Scotia Bar in 1988, he practiced with the Halifax corporate boutique firm of Green Spencer.

In 1992, Rick joined IMP Group International as legal counsel, the second member of the IMP legal department, and worked closely with the company’s original general counsel, Bernie O’Rourke. Rick currently serves as senior vice president, chief legal officer and general counsel, having assumed that role in 2016.

In this role, he is responsible for the delivery of legal services to all divisions and subsidiaries of the IMP Group. Leading a team of five lawyers and two legal support professionals, legal support is provided to corporate operations throughout Canada and worldwide. In addition to his role as senior vice president, chief legal officer, Rick serves as corporate secretary. In this role, he oversees the corporate governance of IMP Group and its subsidiaries.

Throughout the 30+ years with IMP, Rick has been heavily involved in all of the operations and endeavors of IMP, including the construction and operation of the first “Western” hotel in Moscow in the early 1990’s, the establishment, operation, and sale of CanJet, a Canadian “low-cost” scheduled air carrier, acquisitions in the aerospace, aviation, IT, healthcare, and real estate sectors, and the establishment and continued operation of civilian bases at various DND squadrons across Canada to provide operational support to Canada’s fleet of CH-149 “Cormorant” search and rescue helicopters.

Outside of IMP, Rick is heavily involved in doing volunteer work overseas, finding himself in southern Africa for a few weeks each year, as well as other locations around the world. He (obviously) enjoys traveling, football (soccer), reading, spending time with his family, and his church.