Ivey Business School announces 2019 Business Leader of the Year
Peter Gilgan to be honoured at annual gala
LONDON, ON – January 29, 2019 – Today, the Ivey Business School announced Peter Gilgan, Founder of Mattamy Homes and noted Canadian philanthropist, will receive the Ivey Business Leader Award. He will address Canada’s most prominent business leaders at an annual gala dinner in Toronto on October 3, 2019.
Gilgan founded Mattamy Homes in 1978, overseeing the company’s strategic direction and growth into North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilder, with nearly 100,000 homes sold in hundreds of communities across Canada and the U.S. While Gilgan is noted as one of the country’s most successful entrepreneurs, it is his commitment to philanthropy that truly sets him apart. Both personally and through the Peter Gilgan Foundation, his lifetime donations supporting initiatives in health care, education, athletics, children and environmental protection now total in excess of $175 million.
“Peter Gilgan understands how to build communities. His success as a homebuilder and business person is very apparent, but his dedication to philanthropy makes him a true community leader,” said Ivey’s Acting Dean Mark Vandenbosch, HBA ’84. “His actions and generosity reflect the School’s mission to positively contribute to the societies that we operate within.”
Gilgan’s charitable contributions are extensive, including $10 million to St. Joseph’s Health Centre in 2017; $30 million to St. Michael’s Hospital for a new patient care tower; $10 million towards the building of the new Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital; and $40 million in 2012 to SickKids Hospital representing the largest gift to a pediatric hospital in Canadian history. In the education sector, his historic $15 million gift to Ryerson University supported the development of the Mattamy Athletic Centre on the site of the former Maple Leaf Gardens. He was awarded one of the country’s highest civilian honours in 2013 when he was appointed to the Order of Canada, as well as the Order of Ontario in 2012, for his business leadership and philanthropic initiatives. In 2013, he was inducted as a Companion into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame and honoured with a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
"Peter Gilgan’s business and philanthropic leadership is truly inspirational and serves as a shining example of a successful individual devoted to giving back to his community,” said Darin Deschamps, HBA ’87, Head, Wells Fargo Securities Canada, Ltd. and Co-chair, Ivey Business Leader Award.
Deschamps and Mark Whitmore, MBA ’91, Global Leader, Deloitte Private, jointly chair the Ivey Business Leader Award that will be presented at a black-tie dinner on October 3, 2019 at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. Proceeds from the annual event support scholarships for outstanding Ivey students.
Gilgan joins an esteemed list of past Ivey Business Leader Award recipients demonstrating leadership in both business and their communities. Past recipients of the award include:
- 2018: Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial
- 2017: Linda Hasenfratz, President and CEO, Linamar
- 2016: Gord Nixon, Former President and CEO, Royal Bank of Canada
- 2015: Jeff Orr, President and CEO, Power Financial Corporation
- 2014: Bonnie Brooks, Vice Chair, Hudson’s Bay Company
- 2013: George Cope, CEO Bell Canada
- 2012: Rick George, Former CEO Suncor Inc.
- 2011: Ed Clark, Group President and CEO of TD Bank Group (TD)
- 2010: Peter Munk, Founder and Chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation
- 2009: Richard J. Currie, Past Chairman, BCE Inc. and former President, Loblaw Companies Limited and George Weston Limited
- 2008: Dominic D'Alessandro, President & CEO, Manulife Financial
- 2007: Claude Lamoureux, President & CEO and Robert Bertram, Executive Vice-President, Investments, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
- 2006: Isadore Sharp, Chairman and CEO, Four Seasons Hotels Inc.
- 2005: Peter Godsoe, former Chairman and CEO, The Bank of Nova Scotia
- 2002: Gwyn Morgan, President and CEO, EnCana Corporation
- 2001: Harrison McCain, Chairman, McCain Foods Limited, and G. Wallace McCain, Chairman, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
- 2000: Purdy Crawford, Chairman, AT&T Canada
- 1999: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, led by Prem Watsa, Chairman
- 1998: Paul Desmarais, Chairman, Power Corporation of Canada
- 1997: Frank Stronach, Chairman of the Board, Magna International Inc.
- 1996: Jean C. Monty, President and CEO, Northern Telecom Limited
- 1995: Jack Lawrence, Deputy Chairman, Nesbitt Burns Inc.
- 1994: Robert Nourse, President and CEO, The Bombay Company Inc.
- 1993: Cedric E. Ritchie, Chairman, The Bank of Nova Scotia
- 1992: John C. Carroll, President and CEO, Molson Breweries
- 1991: John M. Thompson, Chairman and CEO, IBM Canada Limited
About the Ivey Business School, Western University
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada’s leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provides the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today’s complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as Executive Education at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.
