1. Galen Weston was head of the world's second-largest luxury goods retailer as chairman of Holt Renfrew in Canada and the Selfridges Group, owner of Selfridges in the United Kingdom, Brown Thomas in Ireland, the De Bijenkorf department store chain in the Netherlands, and the recently acquired Ogilvy department store in Montreal.
In 1962, after briefly studying business administration at Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario, Galen Weston moved to Dublin to set up a grocery store.
Galen Weston found the Republic of Ireland a land of opportunity:.
Meanwhile, Galen Weston married Hilary Frayne, one of Ireland's top fashion models, in 1966.
In 1971, Galen Weston purchased an interest in Brown Thomas, the upscale Dublin department store, and gave it to his wife as a present.
Galen Weston found a company deeply in debt with too many small, aging outlets, and a market share recently cut in half.
In February 1972, Galen Weston was appointed chief executive officer of Loblaw Companies and immediately began consolidating operations.
Financing was arranged through a Galen Weston family holding company to free Loblaws from store leaseback agreements.
Galen Weston next hired designer Don Watt to remodel one of the chain's Toronto outlets on a budget of only $30,000.
Galen Weston brought in new managerial talent that included former university schoolmate Dave Nichol and fellow McKinsey consultant Richard Currie, who took on the role of "change agents".
In spite of no previous experience in the retail food industry, Galen Weston gave Nichol and Currie the authority to force change on an often reluctant senior management.
Galen Weston became closely associated with the company's first in-house brand No Name in 1978 and was behind the introduction of the President's Choice brand in 1983.
In March 1975, Galen Weston was appointed Chairman and Managing Director of George Galen Weston Limited.
In 1995, Loblaw divested the last of its retail holding in the United States while Galen Weston oversaw the expansion of Canadian retail operations.
Meanwhile, George Galen Weston Limited continued to move away from resource-based industries.
Galen Weston greatly expanded the company's American bakery operations with the purchase of Bestfoods Baking Co.
Galen Weston retained the post of Chairman and President of parent George Galen Weston Limited.
In 2003, it was announced that Galen Weston had completed a deal to buy Selfridges, the British department store chain, through the Galen Weston family holding company.
Galen Weston married Hilary Galen Weston on July 23,1966.
Galen Weston retired in 2016 as chairman of George Galen Weston Limited and was succeeded by his son.
Galen Weston died at his home in Toronto on April 12,2021, after a long illness.
Galen Weston served as president of the board of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and as chairman and chief fundraiser for the Lester B Pearson United World College of the Pacific.
In recognition of his charitable donations, Galen Weston was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1990, awarded the Order of Ontario in 2005, and made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2017.