(Left to Right) Greg Stewart, representing Bob Stewart; Gordon Andersen representing Ivan Andersen; Ryan Beedie; Stan Fuller; John Nicola.

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 5, 2025 – JA British Columbia (JABC) proudly hosted the 19th annual Business Laureates of British Columbia (BLBC) Hall of Fame Gala Dinner and Induction Ceremonies at the Vancouver Convention Centre West—home to the Hall of Fame itself. 

With approximately 1,000 attendees, the evening was elevated by the presence of keynote speaker Isabelle Hudon, President and CEO, BDC. The event kicked off with a territory welcome by Dennis Thomas-Whonoak, and an address by Honourable Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. There were also presentations by JABC student scholarship and award winners. 

The Laureates honoured and inducted were:  

  • Ryan Beedie, President, Beedie and Keith Beedie (1926-2017) Founder and Former Chair, Beedie  
  • Stan Fuller, Cofounder and CEO, Earls Restaurants and Board Member, Fuller Family Restaurant Group and Bus Fuller (1928-2019), Cofounder, Earls Restaurants and Chairman, Fuller Family Restaurant Group 
  • John Nicola, Chairman, CEO and Co-Chief Investment Officer, Nicola Wealth 
  • Bob Stewart (1916-2003), Founding Partner and President, Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd. and Ivan Andersen (1916-2011), Founding Partner and Secretary-Treasurer, Sinclar Group Forest Products Ltd.

The induction ceremonies were performed by 2025 Hall of Fame Co-chairs, Abi Coman-Walker and Shelina Esmail. Co-presenting sponsors were Fasken and RBC. 

Nominations were open to the public and the nomination process was guided by Laureate Selection Sponsor, PFM Executive Search, an executive recruitment firm based in Vancouver.  

Net proceeds from the BLBC Hall of Fame Gala support the efforts of JABC in delivering work readiness, financial health and entrepreneurship programs to youth in urban, rural and Indigenous communities across the province.  

See our Sponsors and read more information here

2026 Nominations are now open. Help us find next year’s Business Laureates and submit a nomination today!