Fame becomes him
The ubiquitous, uber-energetic W. Brett Wilson may have retired last December as chairman from the company he co-founded, Calgary-based FirstEnergy Capital Corp., but like a hummingbird on speed, he rarely stops moving. He is loving his new life of public appearances, TV shows and dates with a celebrity songstress.
Last thing's first: We asked him about rumours he is dating Vancouver-based singer Sarah McLachlan. "I've gone out with her several times, but to call us an item is a gross exaggeration," he says. "We go out every two or three weeks. We haven't any plans now but would I see her again? Absolutely."
One such outing was in June at the garden party at his Calgary home, an annual charity fundraiser. This year, $110,000 was raised to fight blindness through 777 Run for Sight, for which his friend Norma Bastidas ran seven ultra-marathons on seven continents in seven months. Ms. McLachlan came as his date but ended up singing her hit Angel and a tune with the scheduled entertainers, the Canadian Tenors. "I think the piano proved irresistible," he says.
Mr. Wilson, just returned from three weeks in Africa, is looking forward to sharing the podium in Regina with former U.S. president Bill Clinton at a Power Within leadership conference on Sept. 8. Then it's off to Ottawa to co-headline with Donald Trump at an economic gathering. And then there's his stint on the business reality show Dragons' Den, which has necessitated a team to look after his den investments. "I don't do much business any more," he says breezily.
BMO in Beijing
The Bank of Montreal is enjoying the spotlight in Beijing. First there was Finance Minister Jim Flaherty taking time during his trade mission last month to officiate at the opening of BMO's expanded new digs in the Chinese capital. That followed an honour a year ago for Roger Heng, BMO's general manager in the capital, who was chosen by Beijing's mayor for the city's top award given to 15 foreigners each year.
More recently, BMO was given a spot on the Beijing Bankers Association board as vice-chair, the first Canadian bank to hold the post. BMO will represent other foreign banks in Beijing. (The posts are held by banks, not individuals.) The BBA represents members on policy, legislation and issues of common ground, similar to the Canadian Bankers Association.
