Galen Weston Jr.

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Galen Weston Jr.
Galen G. Weston (also known as Galen Weston Jr.).jpg
Weston in 2011
Born
Willard Galen Garfield Weston

December 19, 1972 (1972-12-19) (age 49)
Dublin, Ireland
NationalityCanadian
Alma mater
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse(s)Alexandra Schmidt
Parent(s)
Relatives

Willard Galen Garfield Weston (born December 19, 1972) is a Canadian businessman and a member of the prominent Weston family.[1] He serves as Chairman and CEO of George Weston Limited,[2] as well as Executive Chairman of Loblaw Companies Limited.[3] He is the only son of Galen Weston Sr. and Hilary Weston.

Early life and education[]

Weston was born in Dublin, Ireland, where his father, Galen Weston Sr., had relocated to in the 1960s. Weston's father originally moved to Dublin to start up a supermarket chain, and he eventually married Hilary Weston (born Hilary Frayne) and had two children, Galen and Alannah.[4] The Westons moved to Canada in 1974.[4]

Weston grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where he attended Upper Canada College.[5] He subsequently graduated from Harvard University and from Columbia University.[6]

Career[]

Weston took over Loblaw Companies Limited in October 2006. Beforehand, he had held positions in the company for eight years and was a member on their board of directors. At that point, the company was worth around $9.5 billion.[7] Weston has featured in a number of television and radio commercials for Loblaws and its brands.[8]

In 2016, it was announced that Weston had succeeded his father as CEO of George Weston Limited.[9] In March 2021, it was announced that Weston would take over Loblaw Companies as president and chairman following the retirement of Sarah Davis that year.[10]

Controversy[]

On December 19, 2017, Loblaw and its parent company George Weston Limited announced action the companies had taken to address their role in a price-fixing arrangement involving certain packaged bread products. In the statement, Weston is quoted as saying "this sort of behaviour is wrong and has no place in our business or Canada's grocery industry," and that "this should never have happened."[11] In response, Loblaw and George Weston said the companies had reported the price fixing to the Competition Bureau, that the employees responsible for George Weston and Loblaw's role in this are no longer with the companies and the companies had significantly enhanced their compliance programs with measures that are industry-leading and go further than the Competition Bureau’s requirements. Loblaw also announced it was offering customers a $25 Loblaw Card, which could be used to purchase items sold in Loblaw grocery stores across Canada.[11] Registration for the card opened on January 8, 2018, as of April 2019, many people have still not received the restitution.[12]

Criticism[]

Weston has faced criticism from the Canadian labour movement, including from unions representing his companies' workers and from consumers.[8] In June 2020, Weston confirmed the cancellation of an hourly $2.00 CAD wage premium to Loblaw workers, earning criticism from Unifor President Jerry Dias. The premium was paid to low-wage grocery store workers, who were deemed "essential" and required to attend work in dangerous conditions while most of Canada was shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]

Personal life[]

Weston married Alexandra Schmidt, granddaughter of businessman Thomas J. Bata, in 2005.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ "Willard Galen Garfield Weston". Companies House. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  2. ^ "Galen G. Weston takes over as CEO of George Weston Ltd". Global News. The Canadian Press. Retrieved April 2, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Chakravorty, Shubhankar (July 17, 2014). "Loblaw executive chairman Weston takes on president's role". Reuters. Retrieved April 2, 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b "At home with Hilary Weston". The Irish Times. February 8, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  5. ^ Kingston, Anne (October 9, 2006). "Galen Weston Jr. Takes over at Loblaws". Maclean's. Retrieved April 21, 2021 – via The Canadian Encyclopedia.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b "The Weston family empire expands again". CBC News. July 16, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Kingston, Anne. "Galen Weston Jr. Takes over at Loblaws". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Rastello, Sandrine (June 12, 2020). "Galen G. Weston steps into trouble over pandemic wages". Bloomberg News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Weston to succeed father at helm of Loblaw parent". Supermarket News. September 14, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Redman, Russell (March 24, 2021). "Loblaw realigns leadership with plan to sell Weston Foods". Supermarket News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b "George Weston and Loblaw take action to address industry-wide anti-competitive activity". Loblaw Companies Limited (Press release). Canada News Wire. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  12. ^ Cazzin, Julie (January 8, 2018). "You can sign up for the $25 Loblaw gift card now. Here's how". Maclean's. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  13. ^ Freeman, Joshua (June 11, 2020). "Loblaw ending $2 per hour pandemic pay for workers despite soaring profits". CTV News. Retrieved April 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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