SATVIR GILL, Senior Wealth Advisor, The Gill Group, ScotiaMcLeod®, a division of Scotia Capital Inc., Scotia Wealth Management, Langley, British Columbia
- TAYLOR STRANAGHAN
- Aug 11
- 6 min read
SATVIR GILL
Satvir Gill, a seasoned Senior Wealth Advisor for The Gill Group at Scotia Wealth Management, traces the roots of his financial journey back to childhood, a journey shaped by family responsibility, curiosity, and a deep desire to help others succeed financially.
Growing up in Northern British Columbia as the child of immigrant parents, Satvir took on early responsibility for managing his family’s finances. This experience was more than just balancing numbers. It was about trust, care, and learning financial principles that would later become the foundation of his professional life.
At Scotia Wealth Management, Satvir leads a collaborative and deeply committed team. Together, they deliver personalized financial strategies with a focus on helping clients protect, grow, and pass on their wealth in a way that reflects their goals, values, and vision for the future.
Self-Education and Exploration into the Financial World
Satvir’s passion for finance started young. “When I was nine or ten, I’d put on the same suit I wore to family weddings and pretend I was in business meetings,” he remembers. “That early fascination set me on the path toward business and finance.”
In high school accounting class, Satvir was introduced to the concept of investing and owning parts of companies. By grade 10, he began educating himself about investing, stock exchanges, and financial markets. He mentions, “I started reading books and gaining knowledge about this field.”
Satvir took on the responsibility of helping manage his parents’ finances at a young age. “Due to language barriers, my parents depended on me for assistance,” he says. “I remember visiting the bank to handle various financial matters, including our family’s real estate. One moment that stands out for me was when I inquired about buying stocks with the goal of purchasing a desktop computer, which was an exciting new technology at the time.”
At 18 years old, Satvir had a conversation with several professionals to help manage his parents’ RRSPs. “Unfortunately, many Financial Advisors considered our assets to be too small for their services. This experience motivated me to bridge the gap in financial services to ensure that individuals, regardless of their financial status, could access financial guidance and expertise.”
“I was determined to help people navigate their finances and make informed decisions, leading to my career path in finance.”
The Power of a Collaborative Team
Today, Satvir leads a dedicated team that brings a comprehensive client-first approach to wealth management. “We view financial planning holistically, considering all aspects of a client’s financial life,” he explains. “Our success is not just about me. It is about the core team that makes everything possible,” he shares warmly. This team includes financial planners, tax specialists, estate planning professionals, trust advisors, and insurance specialists all working seamlessly to provide integrated advice tailored to each client’s unique story.
“Everything in our practice revolves around two fundamental aspects: purpose and goals,” Satvir explains. “We strive to uncover what clients want to achieve, their objectives, and the path they envision. We start fresh with every client, asking questions and listening closely to understand their circumstances. Our advice is always tailored to fit their lives and goals.
Taking a client-centric approach, Satvir and his team strive to ensure every decision and financial strategy aligns with clients’ aspirations, whether it involves preserving wealth, ensuring a comfortable retirement, or leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
“For many clients, we emphasize the importance of financial planning as the cornerstone of a secure financial future. “A clear financial plan acts as a roadmap. Once clients define their shortand long-term goals, we can guide them in making informed decisions about investments, savings, and spending.”
“We also stress the significance of diversification and managing risk within their investment portfolios. By spreading investments across different asset classes, we aim to reduce risk and protect their wealth. We advise clients on long-term investing and avoiding impulsive decisions.”
Client Focus and Community Engagement
Satvir and his team work with a diverse range of clients, spanning from individuals seeking to secure their financial future and families aiming for intergenerational wealth transfer, to professionals and entrepreneurs looking to optimize their wealth management strategies.
In addition to supporting individuals and families, Satvir dedicates significant time to working with Indigenous Communities, focusing on trust management and financial planning.
“We work with Communities in managing their wealth to support the lives of their members based on the Communities’ own vision," he explains. “This involves a wide range of support, including educational programming, presentations, and helping structure trusts to ensure longterm financial stability. What makes this work so unique is the opportunity to partner with Communities to develop programs that benefit both their youth and elders, while applying a generational perspective to the funds they manage.”
First Nations wealth is contained in their lands, language, history and their financial investments. “We look out seven generations and have a wide lens when working with Communities,” he says. “I take pride in being able to sit with the knowledge keepers,listening and learning from them and their stories.”
Satvir’s work on boards and committees, including those with Indigenous members, has given him unique insight into both sides of the decision-making process. “I am often sitting alongside Communities, hearing their insights and understanding what is proposed in their best interest,” he shares. “I’m also the one presenting ideas and developing solutions for the board to consider.”
This dual perspective has deepened Satvir’s understanding of the responsibility involved in proposing ideas that affect a community’s future. “I don't take this responsibility lightly,” he adds, emphasizing his commitment to creating programs that ensure financial sustainability and longterm viability.
Satvir credits his strong commitment to volunteerism to the values his parents instilled in him. “I have been involved in various charitable and advocacy endeavours, from serving as the youngest Chair of the Chamber of Commerce to contributing to the BC Chamber of Commerce.
I have also helped establish a number of non-profits, I was elected School Trustee and during COVID, I helped redistribute foods to communities in need, a passion I continue today. As vice chair of the Abbotsford Community Foundation, we awarded nearly 300 scholarships last year. I’m committed to advocating for others and lending a hand where it’s needed most.”
This commitment also translates into his client relationships, where he and his practice adopt a client-centric and impartial approach, emphasizing being there for clients and advocating for their best interests. “We work for our clients, ensuring we're there to support them every step of the way,” he says.
Sharing Wisdom and Fostering Growth
Mentorship and continuous learning have been profoundly impactful in Satvir’s professional and personal philosophy.
Having had two mentors during the beginning of his career, Satvir found it particularly more challenging to find a suitable mentor after becoming an Advisor. He says, “For the past five years, I’ve worked with a trusted coach. I am now on the side of being a mentor. My mentorship focus has shifted to guiding Communities and clients, helping them navigate the profession and offering support where it’s most needed.”
“I believe it is my responsibility to share my skills and experiences, helping to uplift others.” Whether through charity work, providing food to those in need, or dedicating time to explaining and listening, Satvir sees mentorship and giving back as a deeply ingrained aspect of his character and a means of extending a helping hand to those in need.
Satvir has been able to translate the knowledge he has gained to help educate people about investing. “Changing the way they perceive things and encouraging them to think about investments, such as stocks or companies they are interested in. We aim to simplify the concept of investing and instill common-sense investment principles in everyone we work with. This can be very rewarding.”
Satvir stays actively informed on changes in the financial markets. “I spend several hours a day reading and listening to stay current,” he says. “When something is unclear, I seek out experts. I recently attended a conference in Los Angeles and visited the trading desks at the New York Stock Exchange to gain first-hand insights.” He continues to be a dedicated student of the markets.
Empowering Future Generations
One of Satvir’s greatest passions is helping families and Communities embrace the power of generational wealth. “Generational wealth is not just about building capital. It is about preserving values, passing on wisdom, and creating a lasting impact,” he shares. As a Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA), Satvir helps families navigate succession planning, estate strategies, and longterm financial decisions with their unique goals and legacy in mind.
“I focus on creating and preserving wealth, guiding clients through tax and estate matters, and helping them make clear, informed decisions. When emotion is removed from investing, we can stay centered on what matters most and continue making a positive impact.”
Satvir finds deep fulfillment in seeing financial plans come to life. “It is incredibly rewarding to watch families and Communities realize the potential of generational wealth and how it can transform their future.”
“We want clients to feel confident every step of the way. They know the details have been taken care of, and we are always just a phone call away.”
Taylor Stranaghan is a skilled business content writer and editor who brings forth a wealth of knowledge and expertise. With years of experience crafting compelling narratives, she excels at producing high-quality, engaging content that informs, educates, and inspires readers.
Satvir Gill, Senior Wealth Advisor
The Gill Group | ScotiaMcLeod®, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.
Scotia Wealth Management
8621 201 St Suite 600
Langley, BC V2Y 0G9
604.535.4722