Peter Munk Named Ivey Business Leader of the Year

TORONTO , Jan. 15 /CNW/ - Peter Munk , Founder and Chairman of Barrick Gold Corporation, will receive this year's Ivey Business Leader Award at a gala dinner on October 20, 2010 .

A well-known Canadian business leader and philanthropist, Mr. Munk built several international enterprises that have achieved outstanding success. Mr. Munk was founder of Barrick Gold Corporation, Horsham Corporation which merged and reorganized to form Trizec Properties, and instrumental in the creation of TriGranit Development Corporation, one of the leading property developers in Hungary and Central Europe . Trizec Properties was valued at US$5.4 billion when it was sold to Brookfield Properties in 2006.

Barrick Gold established a track record of rapid development since its formation with a standard of excellence that few other large companies can claim, regardless of industry sector. It is the only gold producer in the world with an A credit rating.

Mr. Munk 's business strengths are evident in the dynamic growth of his companies as well as their entrepreneurial character and financial strength.

"Peter's track record of building strong and vibrant companies is equalled by his philanthropic spirit and commitment to giving back," said Carol Stephenson , Dean, Richard Ivey School of Business. "Peter is an exemplary role model for Ivey students. Through his entrepreneurial success and charitable support, he embodies the Ivey mission statement of thinking globally, acting strategically and contributing to the society in which you live."

"It is a privilege to honour Peter Munk for his accomplishments," said Tim Hockey , President & CEO, TD Canada Trust and Co-chair of the Ivey Business Leader Award Committee. "He stands for entrepreneurial character and corporate responsibility."

Created in 1991 by the Ivey Alumni Association/Toronto Chapter, the Ivey Business Leader Award honours individuals and organizations who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of business in Canada , and reflect the ideals of the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Mr. Munk 's philanthropic outreach supports several important causes. He has made significant donations to establish a leading Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto , the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre in Toronto , and the Centre for Research, Innovation and Technology at Technion University in Israel . Mr. Munk is former Chair of the University of Toronto Crown Foundation and served as a Trustee of the University Health Network in Toronto .

Mr. Munk was named to the Order of Canada in 1993 and was promoted to Companion of the Order in 2009. He was named Canada's Mining Man of the Year, co-winner along with Barrick's late Vice Chairman, Robert Smith , in 1993. He was named Comex Man of the Year; inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1997, inducted into the Engineering Alumni Hall of Distinction at the University of Toronto in 1998 and received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship in 2002.

Mr. Munk has lived in Toronto for most of his life. He graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto in 1952.

Peter Munk 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:

    
    -   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; former Chairman Imasco
        and Canada Trust
    -   1999 - Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, led by Prem Watsa,
        Chairman
    -   1998 - Paul Desmarais, Chairman of the Executive Committee,
        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 - R. 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
    

The Ivey Business Leader Award, co-chaired by Tim Hockey and Karen Peesker, Principal, KAM Sales & Management Consulting, will be presented at a black-tie dinner at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel. Proceeds from the event support the Ivey Alumni Association Toronto Chapter HBA and MBA Scholarships established to attract top students to the School and the Toronto Alumni Faculty Fellowship in Business Leadership.

About the Richard Ivey School of Business, The University of Western Ontario

The Richard Ivey School of Business (www.ivey.ca) at The University of Western Ontario offers undergraduate (HBA) and graduate (MBA, Executive MBA and PhD) degree programs in addition to non-degree Executive Development programs. Ivey has campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto , and Hong Kong . Ivey recently redesigned its curriculum to focus on Cross-Enterprise Leadership - a holistic issues-based approach to management education that meets the demands of today's complex global business world.

For further information: Mary Weil, Manager, Media & Public Relations, Richard Ivey School of Business, [phone], [email protected]