GREGORY S. BELTON C.V.O., C.M., LL.D.
Gregory Belton is the Executive Chairman of HUB International Canada, a division of HUB International Limited, one of the world’s top 10 global insurance brokerages with 13, 000 employees in the US. And Canada. Gregory also serves as Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award based in London, UK.
Gregory began his career in insurance in 1981. At the age of 29, he left Wellington Insurance to purchase Muntz & Beatty Inc., one of Canada’s oldest commercial insurance brokerages. Following the acquisition of three of Canada’s oldest insurance brokerages, HKMB International Ltd was formed, which grew to become Canada’s largest privately-owned commercial insurance broker. In 2008 HKMB joined HUB International Ltd and in 2014 HUB was acquired by Hellman & Friedman Capital Partners for U.S. $4.4 billion.
During the 1990’s, Gregory became involved with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, initially as President of the Ontario Division In 1992, and National President in 1994. In this role, he launched the Charter for Business which, to date, has generated corporate donations exceeding $35 million for “at risk” youth. In 1997, Gregory was appointed a Trustee of the International Award Association; from 2007 to 2015 he served as Chairman of the International Trustees; a position previously held by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. In 2015, HRH Prince Edward assumed the Chairmanship and Gregory became the honorary Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award World Fellowship.
Gregory is also the director of the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, the Palm Beach Civic Association, The Donner Canadian Foundation, The Investment Committee for the US based W.H. Donner Foundation and a Board Advisor for L’Arche Canada Foundation. His past directorships include Toronto General Hospital Foundation, the Toronto Insurance Conference, Salt & Light Television and Co-Chairman of the Curator’s Circle Committee at the Art Gallery of Ontario and Securefact Corporation. He is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO); and was Chairman of the Upper Canada Chapter of YPO in 2000/2001.
From 2003-2005, Greogry was the first non-American to be appointed Chairman of U.S based Assurex Global, the world’s largest privately held risk management, commercial insurance, and employee benefits group. He served for two terms.
Gregory has numerous national and international awards and recognitions:
- Appointed a Member of the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest civilian honours, that recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation (2016)
- Appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (2009)
- The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, awarded to Canadians who build a caring society and country through their service, contribution and achievements (2012)
- Selected by the Government of Canada to welcome new immigrants to Canada by presiding over citizenship ceremonies (2012)
- Knight of the Papal Order, the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, KHS (2006); elevated to Knight Commander (2011)
- YPO Legacy Awardgranted to YPO members who have overcome great obstacles to achieve success, accomplished something extraordinary in their lives, and/or inspired others (2003)
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal awarded to those who hav - e made a significant contribution to Canada, to their community and fellow Canadians (2003)
- Honourary Doctor of Lawsby Glendon College, York University (2019)
Gregory resides in Toronto and Palm Beach, has been married for 30 years and has three children: Scott who works in the insurance business in Lloyds in London; James who is in the military; and Victoria, a graduate student in London, UK.
PAUL DESMARAIS JR., O.C., O.Q.
Mr. Desmarais is Chairman of Power Corporation, a position he has held since 1996. He previously served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Power Corporation from 1996 until his retirement in February 2020.
He also serves as Chairman of Power Financial and is a director of many Power Corporation group companies in North America, including Great-West Lifeco, Canada Life, Empower Retirement, Putnam Investments, IGM Financial, IG Wealth Management and Mackenzie. In Europe, he is Chairman of the Board of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert and a director of SGS. He was a director of LafargeHolcim until 2020 and of Total until 2017.
Mr. Desmarais is Chairman of the Board of Governors of The International Economic Forum of the Americas (Canada), a Trustee of The Brookings Institution, Co-Chair of the Brookings International Advisory Council and a member of the Brookings Executive Committee (Washington), a member of the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations (United States), a member of the Global Advisory Council of Harvard (United States), a member of The Business Council (United States) and of The Business Council of Canada. He is also active on a number of philanthropic advisory councils.
In 1994, he received the Insigne d’Officier de l’Ordre de la Couronne of Belgium. In 2005, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and he received the Executive of the Year Award from the Academy of International Business. In 2009, he was named an Officer of the Ordre national du Québec and in 2012, Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur in France. He holds a number of honorary doctorates.
RON MANNIX, OC, AOE, B.COMM, LLD (HON)
Ron Mannix, OC, AOE, B.Comm, LLD (Hon) is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, sportsman, and family man. He is also the founder of Coril Holdings Ltd., a company involved in global investments; railroad equipment and service business; real estate ownership and advisory services; and integrative health services, principally located in Canada.
The roots of the family business date back to 1898 and have included heavy construction; engineering; coal mining; oil and gas production and pipelining; railroad construction; maintenance and equipment manufacturing; real estate; ranching; and venture capital activities. Mr. Mannix is a Member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives and its Entrepreneurs’ Circle. He is Chairman, Shareholder and a Director of Coril Holdings Ltd., as well as numerous other family businesses. In addition to being a Member of the Max Bell Foundation, he is a founder, Member and a Director of the National Music Centre Foundation.
He is a former Director of the Bank of Montreal (22 years), Canfor Corporation (7 years), Manalta Coal Ltd. (23 years), Pembina Corporation (20 years), and The Coal Association of Canada. Mr. Mannix was a Director, Member and former Chairman of Carthy Foundation, Max Bell Foundation, Scripps Foundation International Board (La Jolla,California), the Calgary International Organ Festival and Competition, and the Cantos Music Foundation.
CECIL EDWARD GUINNESS CVO
Cecil Edward Guinness CVO, was educated at the University of Belfast and the School of Brewing, Birmingham University. Edward began his career as a junior brewer in 1945 and rose to become the Director of Guinness and the Vice Chairman of Guinness International.
Mr. Guinness served as Chairman of the UK Trustees of the Duke of Edinburgh Commonwealth Study Conferences for many years and has often remarked that the program had “a profound effect on my future thinking and indeed my life”. Edward has served as a Patron and Director on numerous Boards including the Trustees Queen Elizabeth, Foundation for Disabled People, International School of Creative Art, Lister Institute of Preventative Medicine, Dame Alice Owens School Potters Bar, and the Wine and Spirit Trades Benevolent Society. He is a published author, having penned The Guinness Book of Guinness, Fulmers Fallen (co-author), and A Brewers Tale, Memoirs.
SIR TREVOR CARMICHAEL KA, LVO, QC
Sir Trevor Carmichael KA, LVO, QC is a member of the International Bar Association, the InterAmerican Bar Association, the International Tax Planning Association, the International Fiscal Association, a former Deputy Secretary General of the International Bar Association, a Life Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies in the United Kingdom and a Life Member of the commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.
He serves as a Panel Member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes of the World Bank in Washington, the Founder Chairman of the Barbados Youth Business Trust and the Chairman of the United World Colleges Selection Committee for Barbados. A former Visiting Professor of Caribbean Foreign Investment Law to the Florida State University Summer Programme at the University of the West Indies, he is a Trustee of Europhil in the United Kingdom, and sits on the Legal Affairs and Properties Committee of the International Council of Museums in Paris, France and is a Trustee of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Association.