Honorary degree citation - Darren Entwistle
By: Bryan Barbieri, June 2012
Mr. Chancellor, it is my honour to present to you Mr. Darren Entwistle, President and CEO of TELUS.
Dynamic leader, communicator and telecommunications visionary, Darren Entwistle is also the longest-serving CEO amongst global telecommunications companies. Over the last 12 years under Darren’s leadership, TELUS has grown from a regional telephone company into a national and global communications provider, dedicated to serving the needs of its customers with innovative and future friendly technology solutions.
Notably, since 2000, the TELUS team has generated a 162 per cent total return for shareholders – the best shareholder return in the world amongst its global peers. Enterprise value has also increased by over 100 per cent to more than 24 billion.
Pour son engagement sans précédent à l’égard de l’aide communautaire, TELUS a été désignée en 2012 « entreprise philanthropique la plus remarquable du monde » par l’Association of Fundraising Professionals, un organisme américain. Il s’agit d’un accomplissement historique, puisque TELUS est la première société canadienne à mériter cette distinction internationale.
Darren and the TELUS team are also dedicated to answering one of Canada’s greatest social challenges – the transformation of healthcare. The company has invested $1 billion dollars in bringing to market patient-centered, technology solutions that engage Canadians as an equal partner in management of their health. These innovations have resulted in TELUS Health Solutions being chosen as Canada’s leading Healthcare IT company for five years by the Branham Group.
Outre ses responsabilités à TELUS, M. Entwistle siège au Conseil canadien des chefs d’entreprise. Avant son arrivée à TELUS, M. Entwistle a occupé pendant sept ans au Royaume-Uni un poste de haute direction au sein de Cable & Wireless, société dont il est devenu président en 1999. Par ailleurs, M. Entwistle est titulaire d’un baccalauréat (Honours) en économie de l’Université Concordia, d’un MBA en finance de l’Université McGill et d’un diplôme en ingénierie de réseaux de l’Université de Toronto.
Amongst his many honours and awards are: Canadian Business Leader of the Year, 2011 Champion of Public Education by the Learning Partnership, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, and National Philanthropy Business Leader of the Year Award.
Darren was also recognized with the CEO Leadership in Action Award, an international diversity honour from Diversity Journal that lauded his commitment to advancing diversity and inclusivity in business and in the community.
In October 2010, Darren was named an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory for his vision and leadership in helping to make Canada a better place for children by fostering creativity and innovation in the arts. In 2003, Darren was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal as a Canadian business leader who has made exemplary contributions to the community and Canada as a whole.
Mr. Chancellor, on behalf of Senate and the Board of Governors, it is my privilege and honour to present to you Mr. Darren Entwistle, so that you may confer upon him the degrees of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.
