HARRY ROSEN is Executive Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., which operates a chain of 16 better menswear stores in the 8 major markets in Canada.
Founded in 1954 with his brother Lou, Harry Rosen claims a 40% share of the better quality menswear market and in 2004, celebrated 50 years in business.
Harry has long been recognized as one of Canada's most creative and innovative retailers. Over the years, he has been recognized by the Retail Council of Canada (Retailer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award), as well as by many other marketing and retailing organizations.
He was honoured with an Honourary Doctorate in Commerce from Ryerson University in October 2003, and in January, 2004 was appointed as a Member to the Order of Canada.
Harry considers community service an integral part of a business career and has had a long association with the Canadian Cancer Society, including a three year term as Campaign Chairman for Metropolitan Toronto. In past years, he has been active in the Canadian Paraplegic Association, Special Olympics, Corporate Fund for Breast Cancer, Cancer Care Fund, Mt. Sinai Friends for Life Campaign, George Brown Board of Governors, University of Western Board of Governors and the Design Exchange.
Currently he serves on the Mt. Sinai Board of Governors, the Ryerson University Board of Governors, the Advisory Board of the Ryerson B.Com program in retailing, the Ryerson Capital Business Campaign, the CAMH Campaign Cabinet, the Cabinet of Major Individual Gifts for the United Way and the MARS Regenerative Medicine Advisory Committee.
In 2005, after 51 years at the helm, Harry stepped back from the day-to-day operation of the company and now advises his son, Chairman and CEO, Larry Rosen and other senior management. He is also actively involved in writing and delivering retail management training programs in the U.S.
Married with 4 children, 5 grandsons and one granddaughter, his children having established themselves professionally, Harry is a long way yet from resting on his laurels.
Larry Rosen
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Harry Rosen Inc.
Eldest son of Harry Rosen, Larry Rosen has worked for the company for more than 20 years in many different areas: on the sales floor, as a buyer, in operations and corporate development.
Larry began learning the business as a teenager, working summers as a sales associate in a number of Harry Rosen stores. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and went on to earn a Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Western Ontario.
After practicing corporate law in Toronto, Larry joined Harry Rosen as a buyer in 1985. He then became involved in store operations at a senior management level, becoming General Merchandise Manager and later a Director of the company.
In 1997 Larry was named President and Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2000.
Larry is a volunteer member of The President's Council at the University of Western Ontario and a member of the Ivey Advisory Board. He spearheads the Harry Rosen United Way campaign and major initiatives to raise funds for prostate cancer research, including Harry's Spring Run-Off, which have raised more than $1 million to date.
