Fred Lawlor wins business school alumni award

TORONTO — Hotel industry veteran Fred Lawlor won a Ryerson School of Business (TRSM) inaugural alumni lifetime achievement award at a ceremony held in Toronto in late May.

The business school inaugurated the awards to celebrate its alumni’s achievements. The gala welcomed over 200 members of the Ryerson business school community for a night of toasting achievements, reconnecting with fellow alumni and forging new connections.

A total of 16 awards were given to alumni who have achieved success as entrepreneurs, volunteers and business leaders in a wide range of industries.

Award recipients were chosen by a selection committee within TRSM’s Office of the Dean, with a fan favourite vote conducted via social media.

The TRSM Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honour bestowed to an alumnus of the Ted Rogers School of Management. The award recognizes alumni who have significantly enhanced TRSM’s reputation through excellence in professional, community and/or personal endeavors.

President of Sliced Apple Hospitality Group, Lawlor, who graduated from the school’s hospitality and tourism program in 1994, has logged over 30 years of hospitality industry experience, including progressive leadership roles and active academic and community board memberships.

During that time, he has held senior portfolios with Fairmont Raffles Hotels and Resorts that have included managing hotels of all sizes and also included stints as director of acquisitions and development, and corporate director of training.

In his career with Fairmont, he was seconded to hotel purchasing company Avendra as vice-president and general manager, to oversee and develop operations in Canada. Under Lawlor’s management, a number of strategic supplier contracts and key hotel brands were added to Avendra Canada’s structure, including HMS Host, Accor Hotels, Four Seasons, Centennial Hotels and Silver Seas Cruise Lines.

Fairmont Raffles promoted Fred to vice-president of worldwide procurement. He set up a procurement/purchasing structure for Fairmont, Raffles and Swissotel in Europe, Asia, Middle East and North America.