Canadian Business Hall of Fame names inductees for 2026

Hartley Richardson, chief executive of James Richardson & Sons Ltd., will be inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2026. Richardson (left) shakes hands with Governor General David Johnston as he was invested as Officer to the Order of Canada at a ceremony at Rideau Hall the official residence of the Governor General in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

TORONTO — The founders of the company behind Ace Bakery, Simple Joys and naan brands Stonefire and Santosh, are among the inductees that have been named to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.

The hall says Soham Ajmera, the founding chairman of the FGF Group of Cos., as well as co-founders and co-chief executives Ojus Ajmera and Tejus Ajmera will be added to the hall of fame for 2026.

They will be joined by Terry Paul, chief and chief executive of the Membertou First Nation, as well as Anthony von Mandl, founder, owner and chief executive of the Mark Anthony Group of Cos., who helped pioneer B.C.’s high-end winemaking industry in the province’s Okanagan Valley.

The hall of fame will also induct Hartley Richardson, chief executive of James Richardson & Sons Ltd., and Carolyn (Richardson) Hursh, who retired in 2021 after 30 years on the company’s board and remains honorary chair of the family business.

Founded in 1857 and based in Winnipeg, James Richardson & Sons holds investments in agriculture, oil and gas, insurance, transportation and real estate.

An induction ceremony for the Canadian Business Hall of Fame is set for May 28.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press