Navjeet Singh "Bob" Dhillon OC [1][2] is a Canadian property owner and businessman.
Early life and education[edit]
His family comes from Tallewal in the district of Barnala Punjab, India. This family belongs to Dhillon Jat, His grandfather moved to Hong Kong for business reasons and set-up the North China Shipping Company to carry out trade with Japan. Bob Singh Dhillon was born in Japan in 1965. He is a Punjabi speaker. His family lived in Liberia before settling in Canada in the 1970s.[3] As a small child he was sent back to India for his schooling. He was educated at Bishop Cotton School (Shimla). After graduating from university, he completed his master's degree (MBA) at Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.[4] In 2021, Dhillon obtained his ICD.D designation through the Rotman School of Management. Dhillon has also been awarded an honorary doctorate in commerce from Lakehead University,[5] and an honorary doctorate of laws from the University of Lethbridge.[6]
Business[edit]
Dhillon founded Mainstreet Equity Corp in 1997, taking the company public and listing it on the Toronto Stock Exchange under (TSX: MEQ) in 2000.[7] The Canada-based real estate company is the only Sikh-owned company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.[8][1] Mainstreet owns nearly 16,000 rental units across Western Canada.[9] Dhillon is developing a high-end tourist resort in Belize,[3][10] a nation for which he is also the honorary consul general to Canada.[4]
Philanthropy[edit]
In 2018 he made a $10 million donation to the University of Lethbridge – the largest donation in the university's history. The money is being used by the newly named Dhillon School of Business.[11] Through Mainstreet, Dhillon has also provided homes for many refugees, including those fleeing Alberta wildfires in 2016,[12] Afghans fleeing Taliban rule in 2021,[13] and Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion in 2022.[14]
Awards[edit]
On December 29, 2021, Her Excellency the Right Honorable Mary Simon, the Governor General appointed the Order of Canada to Dhillon. Officers of the Order of Canada (OC) have demonstrated an outstanding level of talent and service to Canadians.[15][16]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Mainstreet Equity Company". Reuters. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Bob dhillon family". Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ a b Badshah, Nadeem. "Mainstreet Equity Corporation". Asian Enterprise. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ a b Vohra, Pankaj (1 March 2014). "NRI property tycoon brings India, Canada closer". Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Lakehead University announces its 2017 Convocation Ceremonies' Honorary Doctorates and Fellows".
- ^ "Dhillon School of Business benefactor to be recognized with honorary degree | UNews".
- ^ "Mainstreet Equity Corp". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ Singh, Gurmukh (12 November 2006). "A billion-dollar dream come true". The Tribune. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Organic Growth Discipline Focus" (PDF).
- ^ "Investors | Apartments for Rent | Apartment Rentals | Mainstreet Equity". mainst.biz. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ Critchley, Barry (18 March 2018). "Bob Dhillon 'gives back' with $10 million donation to the University of Lethbridge". Financial Post. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
- ^ "Bob Dhillon's Mainstreet Equity Offers 100 Apartments to Victims of Devastating Fort McMurray Fire".
- ^ "Calgary property company provides housing for Afghan refugees - Calgary | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Real estate icon offers help to Ukrainian refugees". calgaryherald. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ "Governor General announces 135 appointments to the Order of Canada". 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Calgary developer Dhillon humbled by Order of Canada nod". 10 January 2022.