Global Education Communities Corp. Announces Executive Appointments and Leadership Updates

Rhea-AI Summary

Global Education Communities Corp. (OTCQB:GECSF, TSX:GEC) announced several leadership changes to support its student housing expansion. Chris Ho was appointed Executive Director, Finance, bringing over 12 years of Asia capital markets experience, including vice president-level institutional research and equity capital markets work, and holds a Master of Finance and CFA charter.

Betty Liang was appointed Executive Director, Corporate Finance, overseeing corporate finance, business development, partnerships, and investment initiatives. She previously founded and led a Vancouver real estate firm that delivered over $96 million in residential and mixed-use projects. GECC also reported that Victor Chiu stepped down as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary effective July 31, 2026, for personal reasons, and Toby Chu assumed the roles of Interim CFO and Corporate Secretary.

According to the company, GECC has transformed into a premier pure-play student housing developer and operator, with a GEC® Living portfolio and pipeline exceeding $1 billion, about 1,300 operational beds and approximately 2,500 beds in development, serving nearly 10,000 students annually.

Positive

• $1 billion+ GEC® Living portfolio and development budget
• 1,300 operational and ~2,500 pipeline student housing beds
• New finance leadership with capital markets and $96M development track record
• Serving nearly 10,000 students annually across 79 countries and 95 schools

Negative

• Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary stepped down effective July 31, 2026
• Interim CFO role held by CEO, concentrating key financial responsibilities

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 5, 2026 / Global Education Communities Corp. ("GECC" or the "Company") (TSX:GEC)(OTCQB:GECSF) announced updates to its executive leadership team to support the ongoing expansion of its student housing portfolio and broader corporate growth strategy.

Appointment of Chris Ho as Executive Director, Finance

Mr. Chris Ho has been appointed Executive Director of Finance. Having joined GECC in early 2024, Mr. Ho brings extensive leadership experience in capital markets, financial analysis, and investor relations.

Prior to joining GECC, Mr. Ho spent more than 12 years in Asia's capital markets, most recently serving as Vice President of Institutional Research at a leading Asia-based securities dealer and investment banking firm. In this leadership role, he oversaw institutional research activities, advised institutional investors, and worked closely with publicly listed companies on equity capital markets, investor relations, and pre-initial public offering (IPO) preparation. Mr. Ho holds a Master of Finance degree from the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University and is a CFA charterholder.

Appointment of Betty Liang as Executive Director, Corporate Finance

Ms. Betty Liang has been appointed Executive Director, Corporate Finance. In this role, Ms. Liang works across corporate finance, business development, strategic partnerships, and investment initiatives. She collaborates closely with lenders, equity partners, and internal stakeholders on development financing, project evaluation, and capital planning.

Prior to joining GECC, Ms. Liang founded and led a Vancouver-based real estate investment and development company, successfully delivering over $96 million in residential and mixed-use projects. Over a career spanning more than a decade, her expertise covers the entire development cycle-including land acquisition, feasibility analysis, municipal approvals, and construction management across townhomes, multi-family communities, and complex urban redevelopment projects. Ms. Liang holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

Management Transition

GECC also announces that Mr. Victor Chiu has stepped down from his positions as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, effective July 31, 2026, for personal reasons. The Board and executive management extend their sincere gratitude to Mr. Chiu for his dedicated service and wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Mr. Toby Chu has assumed the positions of Interim Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.

About GECC:

For over 32 years, GECC has been a leading player in Canada's education and student housing sectors. Following the strategic divestiture of its domestic college assets in 2025 and 2026, GECC has evolved into primarily a premier pure-play student housing developer and operator. Serving nearly 10,000 domestic and international students annually, GECC's global footprint spans student housing communities, recruitment centres, and corporate offices across Canada and abroad.

Student Housing & Education Super-Centres

Under the flagship GEC® Living brand, GECC is the largest off-campus student housing provider in Western Canada. The Company specializes in developing and managing student-centric rental apartments and has pioneered the "Education Super-Centre" concept-integrated hubs that combine academic space with high-density housing. The GEC® portfolio, comprising both operational assets and a robust development pipeline, represents a combined value and development budget exceeding $1 billion. With 1,300 operational beds and approximately 2,500 additional beds in the development pipeline, GEC® provides essential housing solutions to students from 79 countries worldwide attending 95 schools across Metro Vancouver. Website: www.gecliving.com

Academic Division and Supporting Services

Formerly the parent company of Sprott Shaw College, SSLC Language College and Vancouver International College, GECC successfully divested these entities in 2025 and 2026 to focus on its student housing real estate business. The Company's current academic division continues through CIBT School of Business & Technology Corp., maintaining a feeder and bridge between institutional education and student-centric infrastructure.

GECC maintains a vertically integrated ecosystem to achieve high occupancy and brand consistency across its portfolio. Global Education Alliance (GEA) is a premier student recruitment agency that connects international students with top-tier North American institutions and streamlines their placement into GEC® housing. Irix Design is a Vancouver-based media and communications firm that serves as GECC's internal marketing and design department, ensuring seamless execution of the Company's global brand strategy.

Visit GECC online at www.GEChq.com to explore our services and watch our corporate video. Check out our video library on YouTube.com: https://www.youtube.com/gecliving

For more information, contact:

Toby Chu
Chairman, President, CEO & Interim Chief Financial Officer
Global Education Communities Corp.

Investor Relations Contact: 1-604-871-9909 extension 319 or | Email: info@GEChq.com

SOURCE: Global Education Communities Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What executive leadership changes did Global Education Communities (GECSF) announce on August 5, 2026?

Global Education Communities announced new Executive Directors for Finance and Corporate Finance, and a CFO transition. According to the company, Chris Ho and Betty Liang were appointed to senior finance roles, while Victor Chiu stepped down and Toby Chu became Interim CFO and Corporate Secretary.

Who is the new Executive Director of Finance at Global Education Communities (GECSF)?

Chris Ho is the new Executive Director of Finance at Global Education Communities. According to the company, he joined in early 2024 and has over 12 years of Asia capital markets experience, including institutional research, equity capital markets, and investor relations work.

What is the role of Betty Liang as Executive Director, Corporate Finance at GECSF?

Betty Liang leads corporate finance, business development, strategic partnerships, and investment initiatives at Global Education Communities. According to the company, she works with lenders and equity partners on development financing, project evaluation, and capital planning, drawing on $96 million of prior real estate project experience.

Why did Global Education Communities’ CFO Victor Chiu leave and who is the interim replacement?

Victor Chiu stepped down as Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary for personal reasons, effective July 31, 2026. According to the company, Chairman, President and CEO Toby Chu has assumed the positions of Interim CFO and Corporate Secretary following this transition.

How large is the GEC® Living student housing portfolio for Global Education Communities (GECSF)?

The GEC® Living portfolio and development pipeline exceed a combined value and budget of $1 billion. According to the company, it includes about 1,300 operational beds and approximately 2,500 additional beds in development across Metro Vancouver and related projects.

How many students does Global Education Communities serve through its housing and education ecosystem?

Global Education Communities serves nearly 10,000 domestic and international students annually through its housing and education ecosystem. According to the company, students come from 79 countries and attend 95 schools, supported by recruitment agency GEA and internal marketing firm Irix Design.

How has Global Education Communities’ business model shifted after divesting its college assets?

Global Education Communities has shifted to a primarily pure-play student housing developer and operator after divesting several college assets in 2025 and 2026. According to the company, it now focuses on GEC® Living housing, an academic bridge via CIBT, and vertically integrated recruitment and marketing services.