Brandt Louie

Early life

Brandt Channing Louie OBC was born in 1949 in British Columbia, Canada, to immigrant parents from China. He grew up in Vancouver and attended the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

In 1896, Brandt Louie’s grandfather, Hok Yat Louie, immigrated to Vancouver from China and worked as a laborer on a farm. After saving enough money, Hok Yat opened a small general store in Vancouver’s Chinatown in 1903. This would eventually become London Drugs as we know it today.

Louie’s wife, Belinda, was born in Hong Kong and educated in the United States and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin.

Career

Brandt Louie earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and became a Chartered Accountant in 1966. In his early years, he worked hard and gained experience in various roles, including meat cutting and shelf stocking. It is worth noting that Brandt’s grandfather, H.Y. Louie settled in Vancouver in 1896 after paying the head tax that was required of Chinese immigrants at the time.

After completing his education, Brandt Louie joined London Drugs, a Canadian retail chain that was founded by his father in 1945. He started as a store clerk and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming the company’s CEO in 1998. Under his leadership, London Drugs has expanded its operations to over 80 locations across Western Canada, offering a wide range of products and services, including pharmacy, electronics, cosmetics, and more.

Having worked as a chartered accountant, Louie made the decision to join his family’s business in 1972. His grandfather had established a general store in Vancouver in 1903 after immigrating to Canada from China. Over time, Louie worked his way up in the family business and eventually became Chairman and CEO of London Drugs in 1998.

Under Louie’s leadership, London Drugs has expanded its operations to over 80 locations across Western Canada, offering a wide range of products and services, including pharmacy, electronics, cosmetics, and more. Louie has also overseen the company’s adoption of new technologies, such as e-commerce and digital marketing, to stay competitive in the retail industry.

In addition to his role at London Drugs, Louie serves as the President and CEO of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited, which has diversified interests in retail, real estate, and investments. He also serves as the Chairman of the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation and the London Drugs Foundation, which support various charitable causes in Canada and around the world.

Throughout his career, Louie has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to business and philanthropy. He was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2012 and has received honorary degrees from both Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. Louie’s leadership and business acumen have made him one of the most successful and respected executives in Canada.

He has been an active member of several professional and industry organizations throughout his career. He has served as the Chairman of the Retail Council of Canada and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Business Council of British Columbia, and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Louie has also been dedicated to philanthropic work through the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation and the London Drugs Foundation. He has also supported various educational and cultural initiatives in Canada, including programs at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Art Gallery, among others.

Another notable aspect of Louie’s leadership is his commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in the retail industry. London Drugs has been recognized as a leader in eco-friendly practices, such as recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and sustainable packaging. Louie has also been a vocal advocate for reducing plastic waste and promoting alternative energy sources.

Despite his busy schedule as a business executive, Louie is known for his hands-on approach and dedication to his work. He often visits London Drugs stores to meet with employees and customers and has been known to personally respond to customer complaints and inquiries. Louie’s leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to sustainability have made him a respected figure in Canadian business and society.

Brandt Louie earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and became a Chartered Accountant in 1966. In his early years, he worked hard and gained experience in various roles, including meat cutting and shelf stocking. It is worth noting that Brandt’s grandfather, H.Y. Louie settled in Vancouver in 1896 after paying the head tax that was required of Chinese immigrants at the time.

After completing his education, Brandt Louie joined London Drugs, a Canadian retail chain that was founded by his father in 1945. He started as a store clerk and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming the company’s CEO in 1998. Under his leadership, London Drugs has expanded its operations to over 80 locations across Western Canada, offering a wide range of products and services, including pharmacy, electronics, cosmetics, and more.

Having worked as a chartered accountant, Louie made the decision to join his family’s business in 1972. His grandfather had established a general store in Vancouver in 1903 after immigrating to Canada from China. Over time, Louie worked his way up in the family business and eventually became Chairman and CEO of London Drugs in 1998.

Under Louie’s leadership, London Drugs has expanded its operations to over 80 locations across Western Canada, offering a wide range of products and services, including pharmacy, electronics, cosmetics, and more. Louie has also overseen the company’s adoption of new technologies, such as e-commerce and digital marketing, to stay competitive in the retail industry.

In addition to his role at London Drugs, Louie serves as the President and CEO of H.Y. Louie Co. Limited, which has diversified interests in retail, real estate, and investments. He also serves as the Chairman of the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation and the London Drugs Foundation, which support various charitable causes in Canada and around the world.

Throughout his career, Louie has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to business and philanthropy. He was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2012 and has received honorary degrees from both Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia. Louie’s leadership and business acumen have made him one of the most successful and respected executives in Canada.

He has been an active member of several professional and industry organizations throughout his career. He has served as the Chairman of the Retail Council of Canada and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Vancouver Board of Trade, the Business Council of British Columbia, and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Louie has also been dedicated to philanthropic work through the Tong and Geraldine Louie Family Foundation and the London Drugs Foundation. He has also supported various educational and cultural initiatives in Canada, including programs at Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Art Gallery, among others.

Another notable aspect of Louie’s leadership is his commitment to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in the retail industry. London Drugs has been recognized as a leader in eco-friendly practices, such as recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting, and sustainable packaging. Louie has also been a vocal advocate for reducing plastic waste and promoting alternative energy sources.

Despite his busy schedule as a business executive, Louie is known for his hands-on approach and dedication to his work. He often visits London Drugs stores to meet with employees and customers and has been known to personally respond to customer complaints and inquiries. Louie’s leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to sustainability have made him a respected figure in Canadian business and society.

Net Worth

According to Forbes, Brandt Louie’s net worth is estimated to be $1.4 billion as of 2023, making him one of the wealthiest people in Canada.

Achievement

Brandt Louie is widely recognized for his business acumen and contributions to the community. He has received numerous awards and honors, including the Order of British Columbia, the Canadian Business Hall of Fame, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is also a philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to support education, healthcare, and social causes in Canada and beyond.

Evaleen Jaager Roy was succeeded by Louie as the Chair of the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors in 2002. Three years later, Louie was appointed as the chancellor of Simon Fraser University (SFU) in 2005.

In 2009, Louie was appointed as a Member of the Order of British Columbia.

In 2012, he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

In 2013, the University of Victoria recognized him as a Distinguished Entrepreneur.

In a later year, he received the EY Family Business Award of Excellence.

In 2016, he was awarded an honorary degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Social Profile

Brandt Louie is a private person who maintains a low profile on social media. However, he is active in various business and community organizations, including the Business Council of British Columbia, the Vancouver Board of Trade, and the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. He is also involved in several cultural and artistic institutions, such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.