Team

We were very intentional at BC Partners in Planning to focus on two areas in our team building: to ensure that there is great continuity in the service we provide to our clients, and to create a progressive and flexible work environment. In doing so, we have attracted a multi-generational team of like-minded professionals who are highly competent, ethical and have strong commitment to client satisfaction… and they are great to work with!

Partners

Marian Snowball

Marian is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with expertise in personal and corporate tax.

Before founding BC Partners in Planning in 1996, Marian obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta and then spent five years with Price Waterhouse (now PwC). Marian was then a partner in a Vancouver financial planning company for several years.

Marian’s exceptional tax planning and financial management skills were recognized by the Canadian Association of Financial Planners in 2002 when she was named the BC Financial Planner of the Year.

Marian is a member of the Institute for Advanced Financial Planners, and the Institute of Chartered Professional Accountants of BC. She is a Registered Financial Planner (RFP) and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Marian maintains a connection with her Norwegian heritage and is currently President of the Sons of Norway. She also trains and competes with the North Shore Dragon Busters dragon boat team.

Blair MacLean

Blair's background is in insurance, estate planning, employee benefits, pensions, and investments. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (UBC), Blair spent 11 years with a multi national financial investment firm specializing in employee benefits and pensions.

Blair is a member of the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners, Advocis and The Financial Planning Standards Council of Canada. He has been involved in various capacities in organizations including Rotary, Athletes for Kids and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada.

Other professional qualifications include Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI), Registered Financial Planner (RFP), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Blair is also qualified as a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS), and Elder Planning Specialist (EPS).

Blair's focus outside of the business is his family, staying active and fit, and giving back to the community where possible.

Gillian Elmitt

Gillian has been at BCPIP since 2006 and became a partner in 2014. Gill has many years’ experience in accounting and corporate and personal tax planning.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC, Gill obtained her Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) designation and practiced with Coopers and Lybrand (now PwC) for six years and then with Smythe Radcliffe as a manager in their Vancouver office. Gillian started her own practice on the North Shore in 1992.

Gillian has been a West Vancouver resident all of her life and has always been an active member of the community; she was the Treasurer of the West Vancouver Field Hockey Club for several years, as well as a coach for 14 years. She swims with the Master's club and cycles with a local group.

Philan Policar

Philan joined BCPIP in 2011 and made partner in 2018.

Hailing from Gold Coast, Australia, Philan graduated from the University of Queensland on the Dean's Honour Roll, with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance and Accounting. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and in 2017, he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

At BCPIP, Philan is focused on corporate and personal tax planning as well as financial planning. Further, his involvement with our clients often leads to him working alongside them on various special projects.

Philan is an active member of his church where, as a keen musician, he serves regularly on their band. He is currently also on the board of directors for the Mission to Seafarers.