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UVic honours London Drugs chairman

He oversees a true B.C. success story and an early building block of this province — and now Brandt Louie adds the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award to his list of accomplishments.

He oversees a true B.C. success story and an early building block of this province — and now Brandt Louie adds the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award to his list of accomplishments.

Louie, chairman and chief executive of H.Y. Louie Co., has been named the 10th recipient of the award, a recognition of his entrepreneurial leadership and a commitment to corporate and civic sustainability.

“Brandt Louie has carried on the entrepreneurial spirit of his father and grandfather. He believes in treating employees like family, providing exceptional customer service and adhering to core values,” said Peter Gustavson, founder and chairman of the award committee.

Louie now sits at the head of a company founded by his grandfather in 1903.

H.Y. Louie Co. took root when Hok Yat Louie opened a general store in Vancouver. Over 110 years, it has grown into an empire employing 8,000 that includes import-export, food wholesaling, IGA, London Drugs and a charter airline.

The group has an estimated combined annual revenue of $4 billion, making H.Y. Louie Co. the second-largest company in the province behind the Jim Pattison Group.

“No other company in Canada has reached the age of 100 and remains in the hands of the same family. Brandt has succeeded in carrying on the family tradition,” said Saul Klein, dean of the business school. “Brandt is an excellent role model — his family’s business has succeeded for three generations and is moving to the fourth, something few family businesses do successfully.”

Louie grew up in Vancouver in an entrepreneurial family that is still influenced by the wisdom and example of his grandfather. After completing his commerce degree in 1966, he was designated as a chartered accountant in 1969.

He joined his family’s company in 1972 under the guidance of his father, Tong Louie, and rose through the company ranks, being named president in 1987. He became chairman and CEO of London Drugs in 1998.

Louie’s business philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit is the catalyst driving the ongoing success of the H.Y. Louie group of companies. He has a passionate belief in customer service, fairness in all employee and vendor-partner relationships, and actively encourages creativity and innovation.

Under his leadership, the group of companies has grown to include charter airline LAS and Sonora Resort.

Louie will be presented with the award at a gala dinner May 22 in Victoria.