Fortunes have been made in Winnipeg through various industries such as agriculture, transportation, manufacturing, real estate, finance, and retail. Many successful business owners and entrepreneurs have started small and grown their companies into large, successful enterprises through hard work, innovation, and strategic decision-making.
Additionally, some fortunes have been made through investments in real estate, stocks, and other financial instruments. Winnipeg’s central location, strong workforce, and business-friendly environment have also contributed to the success of many businesses in the city. Based on the latest available information from reputable sources, such as Forbes, there are no billionaires from Winnipeg or Manitoba.
That being said, I can provide a list of some notable and successful business figures and entrepreneurs based in Winnipeg.
Hartley Richardson, Chairman of James Richardson & Sons
Hartley Richardson is a prominent Canadian businessman and philanthropist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born on September 10, 1957, and is the son of James Armstrong Richardson Sr., the former head of James Richardson & Sons, a family-owned conglomerate with interests in agriculture, energy, and financial services.
After graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Hartley Richardson joined the family business in 1980. He worked in various roles within the company before becoming the President and CEO in 1997. In 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the company, succeeding his late brother James Richardson II.
Under Hartley Richardson’s leadership, James Richardson & Sons has expanded its operations and diversified its portfolio of investments. The company has interests in grain handling and marketing, oil and gas exploration and production, financial services, and real estate.
Aside from his business career, Hartley Richardson is also a prominent philanthropist and community leader in Winnipeg. He has served on the boards of various organizations, including the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, and the Canadian Museum of History. He has also been a supporter of numerous charitable causes, including health care, education, and the arts.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Hartley Richardson has received numerous honors and awards, including the Order of Manitoba and the Order of Canada.
Bob Silver, Founder and CEO of Western Glove Works
Bob Silver is a Canadian businessman and entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of Western Glove Works, a clothing manufacturer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Silver was born in Winnipeg in 1945 and grew up in the city’s North End.
In 1972, Silver founded Western Glove Works with his brother, Jack Silver. The company initially specialized in manufacturing men’s workwear and denim jeans, but later expanded into women’s fashion with the creation of the Silver Jeans Co. brand.
Under Silver’s leadership, Western Glove Works has grown into a successful company with operations in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company’s brands, including Silver Jeans Co., Jag Jeans, and Mavi Jeans, are sold in over 30 countries worldwide.
Silver is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported numerous charitable causes, including the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Silver has received several honors and awards, including an induction into the Canadian Retail Hall of Fame and the Order of Manitoba. He has also been named one of Canada’s Top 50 CEOs by the Financial Post magazine.
Mark Chipman, Chairman of True North Sports and Entertainment
After graduating from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Chipman worked in various business roles, including as an investment banker and a consultant. In 2001, he joined his family’s business, the Lanesborough Hotel Group, as its CEO. The company, which operated luxury hotels in the United Kingdom, was sold in 2006.
In 2003, Chipman became involved in efforts to bring an NHL franchise back to Winnipeg, which had lost its previous team, the Jets, in 1996. He formed True North Sports and Entertainment, which was successful in acquiring the Atlanta Thrashers franchise in 2011 and relocating it to Winnipeg, where it was rebranded as the Jets.
Under Chipman’s leadership, True North Sports and Entertainment has expanded its operations beyond sports, with interests in real estate development and entertainment. The company owns and operates the Bell MTS Place arena, which hosts concerts, events, and other entertainment.
Chipman is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported numerous charitable causes, including the True North Youth Foundation, which focuses on supporting children and youth in the community.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Chipman has received several honors and awards, including the Order of Manitoba and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Sandy Riley, CEO of Richardson GMP
Sandy Riley is a Canadian businessman and the CEO of Richardson GMP, a wealth management firm based in Toronto, Ontario. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1956.
Riley began his career in the financial services industry in the late 1970s, working for several Canadian banks before joining James Richardson & Sons, a family-owned conglomerate based in Winnipeg. He later became the CEO of Richardson Greenshields, a brokerage firm owned by James Richardson & Sons.
In 2009, Riley was appointed CEO of Richardson GMP, which was formed through the merger of Richardson Greenshields and GMP Private Client. Under his leadership, the company has become one of the largest independent wealth management firms in Canada, with over $30 billion in assets under administration.
Riley is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported numerous charitable causes, including health care, education, and the arts. He serves on the board of directors of several organizations, including the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation, the Canadian Film Centre, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Riley has received several honors and awards, including the Order of Ontario and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
John Buhler, Founder of Buhler Industries
John Buhler is a Canadian businessman and entrepreneur who founded Buhler Industries, a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born on September 27, 1927, in Altona, Manitoba.
Buhler grew up on a farm in Manitoba and later studied mechanical engineering at the University of Manitoba. In 1932, he founded Buhler Industries with his brother, Frank. The company initially produced grain augers and later expanded into other agricultural equipment, such as tractors and combines.
Under Buhler’s leadership, Buhler Industries grew to become a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment in North America. The company’s products are sold under several brand names, including Versatile and Farm King.
Buhler is known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported several charitable causes, including education, health care, and the arts. He served on the boards of several organizations, including the Manitoba Museum and the University of Manitoba.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Buhler received several honors and awards, including the Order of Manitoba and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Marcel A. Desautels, Founder of Manitoba Telecom Services
Marcel A. Desautels is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Manitoba Telecom Services (MTS), a telecommunications company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Desautels was born in 1930 in St. Boniface, Manitoba. He attended the University of Manitoba, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1951.
After graduation, Desautels began his career as an accountant, working for several Canadian firms. In 1969, he joined Manitoba Telephone System, a government-owned telecommunications company, and eventually rose to the position of President and CEO.
In 1996, Desautels led the privatization of Manitoba Telephone System, forming Manitoba Telecom Services. Under his leadership, the company grew to become one of the largest telecommunications providers in Canada, offering a wide range of services, including landline and wireless phone service, internet, and television.
Desautels is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported several charitable causes, including education, health care, and the arts. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the University of Manitoba and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Desautels has received several honors and awards, including the Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
David Asper, Executive chairman of Canwest Global Communications
David Asper is a Canadian lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist. He is the executive chairman of Canwest Global Communications, a media company that owned and operated several television networks, newspapers, and other media properties in Canada and around the world. Canwest Global Communications filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and its assets were sold to other companies.
Asper was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1958. He earned a law degree from the University of Manitoba and worked as a lawyer before joining Canwest Global Communications in 1989. He served as the company’s executive chairman from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2007 to 2010.
In addition to his business career, Asper has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives. He has supported several charitable causes, including education, health care, and the arts. He is a former board member of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and has served as the chairman of the United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto.
Asper has also been involved in politics. He has been a member of the Conservative Party of Canada and has supported several conservative politicians and causes.
In recognition of his contributions to business, philanthropy, and the community, Asper has received several honors and awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Manitoba.
Paul Albrechtsen, President and CEO of Paul’s Hauling
Paul Albrechtsen is a Canadian businessman and entrepreneur who is the founder, president, and CEO of Paul’s Hauling, a transportation and logistics company based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Albrechtsen started Paul’s Hauling in 1979 with a single truck, and the company has since grown to become one of the largest trucking and logistics companies in western Canada. Paul’s Hauling offers a wide range of transportation and logistics services, including flatbed and van trucking, heavy haul, and specialized transportation services.
Albrechtsen is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported several charitable causes, including education, health care, and the arts. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club and the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Albrechtsen has received several honors and awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Manitoba.
Bob Tallman, President and CEO of Tallman Group
Bob Tallman is a Canadian businessman and entrepreneur who is the President and CEO of Tallman Group, a family-owned business that operates several dealerships and automotive service centers in Manitoba and Ontario.
Tallman was born and raised in Manitoba, and he started working in the automotive industry at a young age. In 1973, he founded Tallman Group with his brother, Gerry Tallman. The company started as a small car dealership in Morris, Manitoba, and has since grown to become one of the largest automotive groups in western Canada, with locations in Manitoba and Ontario.
Tallman Group offers a wide range of automotive services, including sales, leasing, financing, and service and repairs for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. The company represents several major automotive brands, including Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC, Buick, and Isuzu.
Tallman is also known for his philanthropy and community involvement. He has supported several charitable causes, including education, health care, and youth sports. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Football Club.
In recognition of his contributions to business and philanthropy, Tallman has received several honors and awards, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Order of Manitoba.
Again, it is worth noting that this list may not represent the ten richest individuals in Winnipeg, as there may be wealthy people who choose to keep a low profile and are not publicly known.
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