Centum Financial Group

CENTUM was founded in 2002 with the first offices opening in Regina, SK; St-John, NB; Olds, AB; and Vancouver, BC. With its launch, CENTUM was soon recognized as the most innovative organization in Canada having introduced the concepts of volume bonuses and group buying power to the industry. Having helped tens of thousands of Canadians obtain billions of dollars in mortgage financing, CENTUM continues to lead the industry with some of the most innovative technology, systems, training and partnerships exclusive to the CENTUM franchise network.

U. Gary Charlwood

Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer

U. Gary Charlwood has forged a reputation as Canada's franchising leader. In 1998, he was the first non-USA citizen to hold the prestigious title of Chairman of the International Franchise Association (IFA) – the world's leading body of franchising.

The multilingual Charlwood arrived in Canada in the mid 60's from Europe with little but the clothing on his back. A continuation of his career in travel industry management was the start to his life in the new world. Seeing the real estate brokerage business as a springboard to financial success, he became a licensed realtor in 1970 and in his first year in business was British Columbia's top producing sales person. After a brief and hugely successful stint owning his own company, Charlwood and a former business partner bought the rights to CENTURY 21® in Canada. He bought out the business partner in 1989. With Charlwood at the helm, the company has grown into one of Canada's foremost national real estate companies.

As Founder, Chairman and CEO of the family-owned Charlwood Pacific Group, Charlwood oversees franchising companies Centum Financial Group Inc., Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership, Century 21 Asia Pacific, Real Canadian Property Management and UNIGLOBE Travel International from his world headquarters in Vancouver, Canada.

In 2007, Charlwood was the first Canadian to be inducted to the IFA Hall of Fame. The honour is awarded annually and includes franchising icons such as Ray Kroc (McDonald’s), Nate Sherman (Midas International), Fred DeLuca (Subway Restaurants) and Henry Bloc (H&R Block). For his achievements in the travel industry, in 2009 Charlwood was inducted to the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), alongside such notables as J.W. Marriott Jr. and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Learn more about U. Gary Charlwood »

Donald E. Lawby

President & Chief Operating Officer

Canadian born (Regina, Saskatchewan), Donald E. Lawby is President of Centum Financial Group Inc. and Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.

Don started his career with the CENTURY 21 System in 1976 as a sales associate for a CENTURY 21 office in British Columbia. In 1979 he joined the CENTURY 21 head office staff as a training consultant and quickly moved through the managerial positions of Marketing Director, Divisional Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, Executive Vice-President to his now current position.

Don has been President of Centum Financial Group Inc. since 2002. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership, Uniglobe Travel (USA) LLC. Don was also the representative for all International Master Franchisors of Century 21 Real Estate Corporation for 1998 and 1999 and is a founding member of the Industry Leaders Group.

Paul Therien

Director of Business Development

Born in Mississauga, Ontario and raised in Edmonton Alberta; Paul made the move to Vancouver in early 2001. Paul started his career with AVCO Financial Group in 1991 and achieved the sought after president’s club award four years in a row from 1992 to 1995.

In the past 20 years, Paul has gained a wealth of experience about land titles, title insurance, legal process, lending, customer service, and the mortgage brokerage industry. He has acted as a senior consultant to various firms in Western Canada setting up their customer service and consumer financing departments.

Paul dedicates a significant amount of time to charity and has been recognized internationally for his contribution to Human Rights and Equality, most recently recognized by being inducted to the Order of the Maple Leaf in 2011.

Previous to joining the CENTUM Executive Team, Paul was senior Manager of Originations for BC and the Prairie Region at FirstLine Mortgages, CIBC’s dedicated broker channel for mortgages. Paul is a strong advocate of the broker community and supports continued education and advancement of the profession. He Joined Centum Financial Group Inc. in August of 2010 as the Director of Business Development and has worked diligently to continue to enhance the experience for CENTUM’s franchise network and the consumer.