Montreal, Quebec – Ivanhoe Cambridge is proud to announce that, for the second consecutive year, it ranked among the 50 Best Employers in Canada according to the annual survey conducted by Hewitt Associates in conjunction with The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business magazine. The list of the 50 Best Employers in Canada in 2006 appears in the January issue of Report on Business, as well as in the December 23, 2005 edition of La Presse. Only the second time Ivanhoe Cambridge has taken part in the survey, the Company improved its ranking over last year, moving up to 30th from 37th.
Headquartered in Montreal, Ivanhoe Cambridge is a leader in Canada’s shopping centre industry with properties across Canada. Again this year, Ivanhoe Cambridge is the only real estate company to appear on the list.
“We are very pleased to be among the 50 Best Employers in Canada again this year,” said René Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ivanhoe Cambridge. “We view this recognition as a major accomplishment. It confirms our leadership position, not only in our industry but also in human resources management.”
“Ivanhoe Cambridge’s leadership position is exemplified by our ambitious Canadian properties redevelopment program, as well as our international expansion strategy. We draw regularly from the in-house expertise of our employees to inform and enhance our redevelopment, acquisition and investment initiatives. Our strong, dynamic team is always prepared to step to the forefront; its energy fuels our Company’s performance. Thanks to our employees, Ivanhoe Cambridge is able to meet the challenges of its industry,” he adds.
Dynamic and Collaborative Corporate Culture
Ivanhoe Cambridge is committed to internal communications based on open dialogue and feedback at all levels throughout the Company. The Company conducts an annual employee survey to give employees an opportunity to express their views and provide feedback to senior management. Through the feedback received, the Company is able to respond to issues raised and make appropriate adjustments.
“Ivanhoe Cambridge strives to motivate and empower its employees,” said David Smith, Vice-President, Human Resources, Ivanhoe Cambridge. “We provide a dynamic and stimulating work environment, access to state-of-the-art technology, and opportunities for career development and advancement. Employees are given the tools and programs they need to optimize their performance, and they are recognized for their achievements. Ranking as one of the 50 Best Employers is proof positive that our people appreciate this approach and that it yields results.”
Ivanhoe Cambridge cultivates a dynamic and collaborative corporate culture. Multi-disciplinary projects, a focus on effective internal communications, continuous training, regular meetings and social activities help foster a strong team spirit. The Company encourages performance-management based on partnership, recognizing the accomplishments and efforts made by both teams and individual employees to achieve objectives. It also offers its 1,020 employees a very competitive total compensation plan.
About the Survey
The study was designed and conducted in spring 2005 by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting firm. Organizations employing at least 300 people were asked to participate in the seventh annual survey.
The study is comprised of three surveys. A representative number of employees from each participating company completed the Employee Opinion Survey and submitted their responses directly to Hewitt Associates. The results of this survey account for the majority of an organization’s final score. It is this aspect of the Best Employers study that distinguishes it from other lists of “top companies”: employees determine who the Best Employers are. Participants also complete the Leadership Team Survey and, finally, the Human Resources Survey on human resources policies.
About Hewitt Associates
With more than 60 years of experience, Hewitt Associates (NYSE: HEW) is the world's foremost provider of human resources outsourcing and consulting services. The firm consults with more than 2,300 companies and administers human resources, health care, payroll and retirement programs on behalf of more than 300 companies to millions of employees and retirees worldwide. Located in 35 countries, including Canadian offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Regina, Hewitt employs approximately 22,000 associates. For more information about the 50 Best Employers in Canada study, please visit www.hewitt.com/bestemployerscanada.
About Ivanhoe Cambridge
Ivanhoe Cambridge is a recognized leader in the Canadian real estate industry. It is one of the country’s pre-eminent property owners, managers, developers and investors. The Company focuses on high-quality shopping centres located in urban areas. Beyond its strong Canada-wide presence, the Company is also active in the United States and Europe – where it partners with several prominent real estate entities. Its real estate portfolio consists of more than 38 million square feet of retail space and includes 43 regional and super-regional shopping centres. As at December 31, 2004, the market value of Ivanhoe Cambridge’s assets reached CAD $7.0 billion.
Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Ivanhoe Cambridge is a principal real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Amongst its shareholders, the Company also counts four prominent Canadian pension funds.