Welcome  

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On behalf of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, I am honoured to welcome you to the 2024 International Business Leader of the Year Award Dinner.  

We are thrilled to have you with us as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of a truly exceptional business leader, Ian Edwards. His remarkable contributions to the business community set new standards for innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership. His dedication to excellence has helped propel Canadian business in the international arena and his vision for a better future inspires us all. 

Ian Edwards exemplifies the values of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and leadership that are at the core of this award. These values reflect not only his personal accomplishments but also the foundation of the Canadian Chamber’s ongoing efforts to foster thriving businesses, a strong economy and a better life for all. 

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to The Ritz-Carlton hotel, our distinguished sponsors, and everyone whose hard work and dedication has made tonight’s event possible. Please enjoy the evening as we celebrate Ian Edwards’ extraordinary achievements and the positive impact he has had on the global business landscape. 

Candace Laing
President and CEO
Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Evening Program

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5:00 p.m.	Cocktail Reception
6:00 p.m.	Opening Remarks by Candace Laing
6:20 p.m.	Presentation of the International Business Leader of the Year Award
6:50 p.m.	Main Course Followed by Dessert, Coffee, and Tea with Instrumental Performance by the Supersonic Hearts Band
7:35 p.m.	Special Presentation by David Frum
7:55 p.m.	Fireside Chat between David Frum and Matthew Holmes
8:35 p.m.	Event Concludes

Seating Chart

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1. Head Table	19. Postmedia
2. Kinectrics	20. BCG
3. AtkinsRéalis	21. Aecon
4. RBC Capital Markets	22. CCC
5. Teneo	23. CCC
6. CIBC	24. Intergraph (Hexagon)
7. PWC	25. BFL
8. Crosslinx	26. Deloitte
9. EY	27. BMO
10. CDPQ	28. CGI
11. TD	29. BWXT
12. AtkinsRéalis	30. CCC
13. AtkinsRéalis	31. CCC
14. Bird Construction	32. CAE | CCC
15. Bruce Power	33. CCC
16. AtkinsRéalis	34. CCC
17. AtkinsRéalis	35. CCC
18. AtkinsRéalis	36. CCC

About the International Business Leader of the Year Award

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Our International Business Leader of the Year award recognizes a business executive from a Canadian company whose visionary leadership and proactive pursuit of international business opportunities has enabled their company to establish a strong, competitive Canadian presence in global markets.  

2024 Honouree

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International Business Leader of the Year

Ian Edwards
President and CEO
AtkinsRéalis 

Ian L. Edwards is the President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis, a fully integrated professional services and project management company with offices around the world. In his role, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company, developing a growth plan for sustainable success and pursuing SNC-Lavalin’s purpose to “engineer a better future for the planet and its people”.  

For over 30 years, Mr. Edwards has been delivering complex infrastructure projects and leading businesses in the engineering and major projects industry in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. As a global executive with multidisciplinary expertise, he has redirected vision with a focus on creating value by simplifying and de-risking business, delivering high-quality global services locally and executing a roadmap that ensures financial resiliency, accelerates organic and inorganic growth, and creates value for shareholders.  

In 2019, Mr. Edwards was appointed President and CEO of AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin). In 2023, Mr. Edwards spearheaded the unification of several brands under the name AtkinsRéalis, an inflection point for the company after many years of successful transformation to become a leading engineering services and project management company.  

Mr. Edwards is committed to pushing the sustainability envelope from discussion to action, bringing to the forefront the engineering solutions required to address the most pressing global challenges of our time, such as climate adaptation and the transition to clean energy, including nuclear power. Through Mr. Edwards’ leadership, AtkinsRéalis continues to demonstrate its ability to enable sustainable, efficient and better outcomes for clients and the communities they serve.   

Mr. Edwards is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is a Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. He supports various philanthropic causes such as the annual United Way/Centraide campaign and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation. Mr. Edwards invests in his continuous personal development while also nurturing a culture where values of safety, integrity, collaboration and innovation are lived every day, driving how one works, delivers and shows up in the world.   

Special Presentation

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David Frum

One of the most influential political analysts of our time, David Frum brings a rational conscience into the mainstream. He helps crystallize what the current political climate both nationally and globally will mean for your business or organization – for the good, the bad and the future. As a Staff Writer at The Atlantic, David’s commentary on social and political issues generates thought-provoking discussions throughout America and around the world. With over a million followers online, he provides fascinating insight into what political outcomes mean for specific audiences around the world in addressing geo-political issues or global and international affairs. 

About the Supersonic Hearts Band

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With years of experience in the industry, the Supersonic Hearts Band is made up of live music experts and party starters. They infuse every event with energy and fun, and pride themselves on filling dance floors!  From jazz and R&B to rock and contemporary, there is always something special in store when these musicians take the stage.  

Thank You to Our Sponsors