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CCCA_V2No4_Profiles-FIN.qxd:CCCA_V1No1_Profile-FIN.qxd 11/24/08 3:00 PM Page 49 Profile who work for them, and it discharges its legal and corporate services globally.“Whereas ten years ago, it was just me sitting here inToronto,” says Badour. Taking Fairmont Hotels public in 2001 was another signif- icant achievement, he says. “I was very much involved in working with Canadian Pacific Ltd., and with our manage- ment team, to work on the company becoming public and listed on the NewYork and Toronto stock exchanges.” FRHI now manages 91 hotels and resorts worldwide under the Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel brands, including some well-known landmark hotels like the Savoy in London, the Banff Springs Hotel,The Plaza in NewYork and Le Château Frontenac in Québec City.The company is in a growth phase, says Badour,and expects to open another 40 hotels in the next few years under its three different brands. It currently owns or manages hotels in 30 different countries, and the planned expansion will bring that number to 45. On the subject of global reach, one might think travel is a significant part — and perk — of Badour’s job. It’s both, says Badour.“I’m travelling every second week. I go to Asia a cou- ple of times a year and to Europe easily half a dozen times a year, and of course to the U.S. regularly as well.” Does it get old? No, he says, adding that he still finds it “a real thrill” to stay at some of the company’s iconic hotels. In fact, Badour still lists travel among his key interests outside of work, along with golf and skiing. His three adult children (all still in university) and his wife of 31 years reap the benefits too, By Patti Ryan visiting the properties the company manages in different parts of the world when they get away on vacation together. When Badour isn’t making deals, putting out fires or jetting around the globe, he’s active on several volunteer committees, including the University of Ottawa Presidents Circle, the cap- on various transactions,right from the birth of an idea through ital committee for the University of Ottawa Law School, and to the closing of the deal.” the United Way legal committee in Toronto. In 2006, he won One of the most rewarding parts of his job is being closely the Canadian General Counsels Association’s “Dealmaker of involved in the development of the company’s business and theYear” award. strategic development plans. Being part of the team charged Badour, who is bilingual, says he’s always tried to develop with identifying the company’s direction is extremely satisfy- the training and skill sets required to give himself “breadth, ing, he says. scale and reach.”When it’s time for a new challenge, he plans Asked to cite his key accomplishments,Badour cites the cre- to either stay in the business or work in an international con- ation of the Toronto law department from scratch.When he text, perhaps doing trans-jurisdictional work. arrived in 1998, the company’s one general counsel had just “I did the national program at the University of Ottawa to left.“They didn’t have an in-house lawyer or an administrative have that kind of scope, and I’ve been able to live it,” he says. MARK STEGEL assistant,” he says.“It was just a green field.” “It’s something I’ll continue to enjoy doing.” The company now has lawyers in offices around the world — including Toronto, Singapore and Zurich — and professionals Patti Ryan is a freelance writer based in Ottawa. HIVER 2008 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 49