July 24

Ed Mirvish was an American-born Canadian businessman whose Honest Ed's Emporium became a cultural and retail icon in Toronto for over 60 years. He purchased and revitalized historic theatres, including the Royal Alexandra and the Ed Mirvish Theatre, playing a key role in Toronto's performing arts scene. Mirvish was known for his flamboyant personality, community spirit, and charitable contributions to various causes. His family continued his legacy in hospitality and the arts, sponsoring festivals and public events. Mirvish's innovations in marketing and urban revitalization left an indelible mark on downtown Toronto. He was officially recognized by both the Canadian and American governments for his contributions to business and philanthropy.

Born in Bournemouth, England, Sir John Bond studied law at Cambridge University before entering the banking industry. He joined HSBC in 1973 and rose through the ranks to become chief executive in 1993 and chairman in 1998. Under his leadership, HSBC expanded aggressively into Asia and became one of the world’s largest banking groups. After retiring from HSBC in 2006, he held prominent roles as chairman of Vodafone and served as a non-executive director for several multinational firms. Knighted in 2001 for services to banking, Bond is regarded as one of the architects of modern global finance. His strategic vision reshaped the banking landscape and influenced corporate governance worldwide.

Born in Bombay in 1945, Azim Premji studied electrical engineering at Stanford University before returning to India to lead his family’s vegetable oil business. He diversified the enterprise into information technology, founding Wipro in 1980 and steering it to become a global IT powerhouse. Under his stewardship, Wipro expanded across continents and built a reputation for innovation and integrity. In 2001, Premji established the Azim Premji Foundation to support education and rural development, pledging a substantial portion of his wealth to social causes. He has consistently ranked among the world’s top philanthropists, contributing billions of dollars to improve public education and healthcare. Premji’s blend of business acumen and social commitment has made him a respected figure both in India and internationally.