Unilever Canada’s Gary Wade to receive 2025 Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award
Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and Food Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) announce that Gary Wade, president of Unilever Canada and CEO of Beauty & Wellbeing, North America, is to be awarded the Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership and lifelong contributions to the Canadian consumer-packaged goods and retail industries.
The Canadian Grand Prix Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals or families who have demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to the Canadian retail and grocery industries. Recipients reflect the industry's spirit of community and trust. They have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their companies' growth and innovation, to the communities they serve, and to philanthropy.
The award is to be given to Wade for his over his 30 years with Unilever and his role in the company’s continuing success, culminating in his appointment as president of Unilever Canada in 2017, and in February 2024, his role expanded to include CEO of Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing division in North America.
"Gary has consistently led the CPG industry through times of rapid change and uncertainty. His bold, innovative mindset and willingness to challenge convention have propelled the sector forward and inspired others to rethink how we build, deliver, and grow consumer brands", said FHCP CEO, Michael Graydon.
"Gary's deep understanding of the evolving consumer landscape has helped drive strategic partnerships that are reshaping the way brands and retailers collaborate. We join FHCP in applauding Gary for his outstanding leadership," added Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada.
Unilever’s Wade joins a list of past Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer recipients from across Canada that include Longo's President and CEO Anthony Longo and the Longo Family, Cindy and Tina Lee of T&T Supermarkets, Burnbrae Farms' president & CEO, Margaret Hudson, Pattison Food Group's president, Darrell Jones, Morrison Lamothe Inc & Club Coffee L.P. CEO, John Pigott, Metro Inc.'s former senior vice-president procurement and corporate brands, Serge Boulanger, Kruger Products CEO Dino Bianco, and Sobeys Inc. president and CEO Michael Medline.
