Schulich’s new George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains to develop next generation of supply chain leaders
TORONTO – Friday, October 23, 2020 – The Schulich School of Business at York University is pleased to announce the creation of the George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains, made possible by significant support from George Weston Ltd.
Building on Schulich’s unique Master of Supply Chain Management program, leading- edge research and George Weston Ltd’s world-class expertise in sustainable supply chains, the new Centre will become a leading global hub. David Johnston, Professor of Operations Management and Information Systems and Director of Schulich’s Master of Supply Chain Management program, will become Director of the Centre.
The Centre will bring together diverse stakeholders to explore how best to create and secure supply chains facing major challenges ahead, such as climate change, digital transformation, supply disruptions and pandemics. It will share supply chain best practices to the many vital sectors that drive our modern economy, and it will develop the next generation of responsible industry leaders.
“Supply chains are the heart of Canada’s economy and provide the food, medication, and other items Canadians need by connecting communities from coast to coast to coast,” said Galen Weston, Chairman and CEO of George Weston Ltd. “We are delighted to partner with the Schulich School of Business to deepen our country’s expertise and develop sustainable supply chains that will contribute to a stronger, more resilient Canada.”
“At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing challenges related to the flow of goods and services, the George Weston Ltd Centre for Sustainable Supply Chains will create new opportunities to grow and support inclusive, prosperous and healthy economies and communities,” said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. “We are grateful to be partnering with industry leaders like George Weston Ltd, who share York’s commitment to driving positive change in Canada and the world through innovation.”
“We wish to sincerely thank George Weston Ltd for the company’s strong support of this important new initiative,” said Schulich Interim Dean Detlev Zwick. “The new Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Supply Chains will become a leading global hub of research in a sector that is vital to our social and economic well-being.”
Today’s partnership resulted from Schulich’s Leading Change Campaign, which concluded in June 2020. Leading Change was the School’s most comprehensive and ambitious fundraising and alumni engagement campaign to date. Under the leadership of Dean Emeritus Dezsö J. Horváth and the Leading Change Campaign Cabinet, the Campaign raised more than $65 million. Leading Change was an initiative of York University’s IMPACT Campaign.