Who Owns CGI Company?

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Who Owns CGI?

Understanding a company's ownership is key to grasping its strategy and accountability. Major events like IPOs or acquisitions can dramatically alter control. CGI Inc., a global IT and business consulting firm, shows how ownership shifts influence growth and market standing.

Founded in 1976 by Serge Godin and André Imbeau, CGI's initial aim was to foster a collaborative, ownership-driven environment. The company's name, evolving from 'Conseillers en gestion et informatique,' reflects its core business in IT and management consulting.

Who owns CGI Inc. today?

As a publicly traded entity on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: GIB.A) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GIB), CGI's ownership is distributed among public shareholders. However, significant insider stakes also play a crucial role in its governance. The company's global reach is substantial, with operations in over 40 countries and a workforce of approximately 95,000 professionals as of 2024. For the fiscal year 2024, CGI reported revenues of C$14.68 billion, with trailing twelve-month revenue reaching C$14.94 billion by August 2025. This structure means ownership is a mix of institutional investors, individual shareholders, and key management personnel, influencing its strategic direction and operational decisions, much like how a CGI BCG Matrix helps analyze product portfolio positioning.

CGI Inc. was established on June 15, 1976, by Serge Godin in Quebec City, Québec, with André Imbeau joining as co-founder shortly thereafter. Their initial vision was to cultivate a collaborative workplace where employees, as owners, could actively contribute to the company's growth and development. The business began modestly, operating from Godin's basement with a single telephone.

Founding Vision

Serge Godin and André Imbeau founded CGI with a core belief in employee ownership. This foundational principle aimed to create a sense of pride and shared responsibility among all professionals within the organization.

Early Operations

The company's initial operations were extremely lean, starting from a basement with minimal resources. By the close of their first year, CGI had achieved a revenue of $138,000.

Ownership Philosophy

While specific initial equity splits are not public, CGI fosters an 'ownership mentality' among its employees, referred to as CGI Partners. These individuals are extended opportunities to become company owners.

Growth Strategy

CGI's expansion was driven by a dual approach of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. By 1986, the company's annual revenue had grown to $25 million.

Going Public

To finance the acquisition of BST, CGI transitioned to a publicly traded entity in 1986. This involved issuing 800,000 Class A subordinate voting shares at an initial price of $6.50 per share.

IPO Impact

The Initial Public Offering (IPO) marked a pivotal moment, shifting CGI from its private founding ownership to a public company. This move provided the capital necessary for continued expansion and acquisitions.

The early growth of CGI Inc. was characterized by a strategic blend of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. By 1986, the company's annual revenue had reached $25 million. To fund its acquisition of a rival firm, CGI made the significant decision to go public in 1986, issuing 800,000 Class A subordinate voting shares at an opening price of $6.50. This IPO was instrumental in transforming CGI from its private founding ownership into a publicly traded company, thereby facilitating further acquisitions and accelerating its growth trajectory. While specific details regarding early angel investors or venture capital backing are not readily available, the IPO opened the door for broader investment. Information concerning early agreements such as vesting schedules or buy-sell clauses is not explicitly detailed in the available records, but the company's commitment to an ownership culture for its employees, known as CGI Partners, has been a consistent theme throughout its history, influencing its corporate structure and stakeholder relations.

CGI's Ownership Evolution

CGI's journey from a private startup to a publicly traded entity reflects a strategic approach to growth and capital acquisition. The company's foundational emphasis on employee ownership continues to shape its corporate identity and stakeholder engagement.

• Founded on June 15, 1976, by Serge Godin and André Imbeau.
• Initial operations were conducted from a basement with minimal resources.
• Achieved $138,000 in revenue in its first year of operation.
• Transitioned to a public company in 1986 through an IPO to fund acquisitions.
• Emphasizes an 'ownership mentality' for its employees, known as CGI Partners.
• The IPO involved issuing 800,000 Class A subordinate voting shares at $6.50 each.

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CGI's ownership journey began with its 1986 IPO, setting the stage for a dynamic evolution driven by strategic growth and acquisitions. This expansion has reshaped its global footprint and shareholder composition over the decades.

The ownership structure of CGI Inc. has been significantly shaped by its growth strategy, which includes both organic expansion and key acquisitions. These strategic moves have not only broadened the company's global reach and service offerings but have also influenced its shareholder base. Understanding CGI company ownership history reveals a pattern of consolidation and integration, reflecting its ambition to be a leader in IT and business consulting services. For those interested in the company's foundational principles, exploring the Mission, Vision & Core Values of CGI provides valuable context.

Key Stakeholders and Voting Power

As of early 2024, the founder, Serge Godin, maintains a substantial influence over CGI Inc. His holdings represent a significant portion of the company's voting rights.

• Serge Godin beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over 53.0% of the total voting rights as of February 22, 2024.
• His direct shareholding accounted for 10.5% of CGI's issued and outstanding shares.
• The broader shareholder base includes a diverse mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, and index funds.
• Detailed ownership information is available in CGI's annual reports and SEC filings, such as the 2024 Annual Information Form filed on December 18, 2024.

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The Board of Directors at CGI Inc. is instrumental in guiding the company's strategic direction and governance. Serge Godin, the Founder, serves as Co-Chairman of the Board, while Julie Godin holds the position of Executive Chair, highlighting their significant roles in the company's leadership structure.

CGI Inc. employs a dual-class share structure, which significantly influences voting power among its shareholders. The company has Class A subordinate voting shares and Class B multiple voting shares. This structure means that ownership of equity does not directly equate to control. As of February 22, 2024, Serge Godin held control over 53.0% of the total voting rights, despite owning only 10.5% of the issued and outstanding shares. This concentration of voting power in Class B shares, primarily held by the founder, is a key aspect of CGI company ownership and control.

Understanding CGI Inc. Shareholder Influence

CGI's corporate governance is built on shared values, emphasizing client, shareholder, and member contributions. The company's commitment to transparency is evident in its shareholder engagement practices.

• Dual-class share structure (Class A and Class B)
• Founder holds majority voting power through Class B shares
• Emphasis on shared values among stakeholders
• Annual General Meeting held virtually for shareholder engagement
• No reported governance controversies for the 2024-2025 period

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Over the past few years, CGI has actively pursued growth through strategic acquisitions and share management. This period, from 2022 to mid-2025, has seen the company integrate several businesses, bolstering its capabilities in areas like artificial intelligence and data analytics. Concurrently, CGI has engaged in share buyback programs, influencing its overall ownership structure.

Leadership at CGI remains consistent, with François Boulanger serving as President and CEO. A significant aspect of CGI company ownership is the substantial voting stake held by Founder and Co-Chairman Serge Godin, who controlled 53.0% of total voting rights as of February 2024. This insider control is a key feature of the CGI corporate structure. As a publicly traded entity, CGI also experiences significant institutional ownership, a common trend in the IT services industry. Furthermore, the company actively promotes employee share ownership, with approximately 80-85% of its global employees participating in shareholding programs, fostering a unique ownership culture among its roughly 93,000 professionals as of June 30, 2025. Understanding CGI Group's ownership structure reveals a blend of founder influence, institutional investment, and broad employee participation.

Founder's Voting Control

Serge Godin, the founder, maintains a dominant voting position with 53.0% of total voting rights. This significant insider control shapes the company's strategic direction.

Employee Share Ownership

A large majority, around 80-85%, of CGI employees are shareholders. This widespread employee ownership fosters a strong internal culture and alignment.

Strategic Acquisitions

CGI's 'Build and Buy' strategy is evident through recent acquisitions like Aeyon and Daugherty Business Solutions. These moves enhance its AI and data analytics capabilities.

Share Buyback Programs

The company actively repurchases its shares through programs like the NCIB. In Q1 Fiscal 2025, it spent $143.2 million on share buybacks, reducing outstanding shares and potentially increasing per-share value.

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