Long-Term Stewardship
About Us
Highland Partners was built on the belief that your business deserves a succession plan: continued leadership, ongoing investment and a home for its people. We channel our energy into cultivating this future, providing sellers with an exit that preserves their legacy while placing the company in capable, dedicated hands.
Strategic Bench
Founder & Managing Partner
Christian Coutts
Christian is a third-generation entrepreneur who approaches business with a deeply ingrained sense of ownership and long-term vision. This foundational perspective is complemented by a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, which grounds his work in analytical rigour and systematic problem-solving. After refining his strategy and client services skillset as a consultant, Christian pivoted to strategic finance. Most recently, with Fulcrum IT Partners, he helped build a high-performance finance team and managed a consolidation of companies totalling $1B in revenue. From securing multi-million-dollar debt & credit investments, to managing acquisitions and divestitures, to monitoring operational health, Christian is uniquely positioned to sustainably and thoughtfully propel businesses forward.
Team
Advisory Committee
Christian is supported by an advisory committee of accomplished entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.
Real Estate Developer & Entrepreneur
Darryl
Firsten
Darryl is a serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. He founded The Commencement Group, which has grown into North America's largest provider of graduation flowers and apparel. He also launched three real estate ventures—IN8 Developments, Originate Developments, and Sage Living—delivering thousands of student housing and urban units across Southern Ontario. Darryl has recently turned his focus to M&A, backing three mid-market acquisitions in 2026 alone.
Managing Partner | Whitecroft Partners
Adam
Tkach
A Queen’s University honours graduate and dual-qualified CPA and CBV, Adam specializes in middle-market investment and portfolio management across diverse industries. His experience in private equity at Fulcrum Capital Partners and valuation at Deloitte enabled Adam to launch Whitecroft Partners and successfully acquire a strategic player in Ontario's industrial services sector.
Managing Partner | Earl& Partners
Connor
Winters
Prior to establishing his own entrepreneurial investment firm, Earl& Partners, and closing on an IT services target, Connor led the Investment team at Fulcrum IT Partners. With his support across sourcing & executing acquisitions, fundraising and strategic initiatives, Fulcrum grew to $1B in revenue. Connor graduated from the Smith School of Business and holds a degree in Computer Science from Queen’s University.
President | Fulcrum IT Partners
Kyle
Lanzinger
Prior to and including his role on Fulcrum's leadership team, Kyle has spearheaded over 20 global technology acquisitions while securing complex debt and equity financing to fuel expansion. He specializes in executing value-accretive deals that broaden market reach and vendor relations, complemented by the enablement of operational excellence to support long-term stability.
