Brian Hill of Aritzia bags E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year Award

11 Oct '08

3 min read

A true entrepreneur who has grown a unique business concept into a remarkable brand, Brian Hill of Aritzia LP is the Pacific region's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 Award recipient.

"Brian Hill's trend-setting retail concept is thriving across Canada, and in the U.S.," said Fred Withers, Director of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program for the Pacific region.

"He is an innovative thinker who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit. Mr. Hill has revolutionized the shopping experience for customers, and left a lasting mark on the local and national retail business scenes."

Mr. Hill, President and CEO of Aritzia LP, received the award at a formal gala held last night, in Vancouver. Aritzia is a vertically integrated women's apparel retailer.

Founded in 1984, Aritzia is an offshoot of Hill's of Kerrisdale, a long-established Vancouver department store owned and operated by the Hill family.

Mr. Hill has served at the helm of Aritzia since its beginnings in Vancouver, and built the boutique into an internationally-renowned retailer known for its one-of-a-kind shopping experience.

Inspired by the energy and culture of the surrounding city, each Aritzia shop offers clothing and accessories designed with style, quality and value in mind.

Mr. Hill has worked closely with staff over the years, ensuring the Aritzia brand of total customer service is consistent in stores across the continent. Mr Hill also received the business-to-consumer products and services category award.

In addition, Robert H. Lee was recognized last night as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Lifetime Achievement 2008 Award winner, in recognition of his innumerable contributions to the growth of the real estate investment industry on Canada's West Coast.

The other recipients of the Pacific Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2008 awards are:

• Natural resources and energy
Ross Beaty, Chairman, Pan American Silver Corp. (Silver mining company), Vancouver, British Columbia, panamericansilver.com

• Turnaround entrepreneur
Amiee Chan, President and CEO, Norsat International Inc, (Provider of microwave components and portable satellite systems), Richmond, British Columbia, norsat.com

• Business-to-business products and services
John Davis, Co-CEO and Founder, Lotte Davis, Co-CEO and Founder, AG Hair Cosmetics (Manufacturer of shampoos, conditioners, styling and finishing products), Burnaby, British Columbia, aghaircosmetics.com

• Technology
Kevin Ham, CEO and Founder, Reinvent Technology, Inc, (Internet media company), Vancouver, British Columbia reinvent.com

• Real estate/construction
Ivan Harmatny, Director, Ron McNeil, Director, Lower Mainland Steel Group (Rebar supply, fabrication and installation) Surrey, British Columbia, lmsgroup.ca

• Social entrepreneur
Clarence Louie, President and CEO, Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation (Wholly owned business, operated by the Osoyoos Indian Band, with interests in retail activities,
vineyards, construction and tourism), Oliver, British Columbia
oib.ca

• Emerging entrepreneur
Davis Yung, President, Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. (Transports and distributes produce to retailers and wholesalers) Vancouver, British Columbia freshdirectproduce.com

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur

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