It’s with great sadness that Shaw
Communications Inc. (“Shaw” or “the Company”) today announces the
passing of company founder, Executive Chair, and former CEO, JR
Shaw. A true pioneer of Canadian business and a visionary of the
Canadian telecommunications sector, JR passed away peacefully
yesterday at the age of 85.
“My family and I are at a loss for words and are deeply saddened
at JR’s passing,” said Brad Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications. “JR
was the founder and leader of our company, but he was also an
exceptional husband, a loving father, grandfather and great
grandfather. His legacy of love and compassion for people will live
on for generations.”
JR’s focus was always on the customer and providing them with
choice and exceptional service. He loved all of the employees at
Shaw, more than 10,000 of them. For over 50 years, JR established
himself as a network builder, growing Shaw Communications Inc. into
one of Canada’s leading connectivity providers, serving over 7
million subscribers with cable, internet, voice, satellite and
wireless services. The growth and success of Shaw is a direct
reflection of JR’s commitment and passion for delivering excellent
customer service.
“I spoke to JR every day about the business. He was engaged and
interested in everything the company was doing – from the latest
technology being rolled out to how we were meeting the needs of
families across Western Canada. We know we will miss his smile, his
advice and his encouragement, but all of our people know that JR
would want us looking out for each other, for our neighbours, and
serving our customers to the best of our abilities,” Brad Shaw
said. “Our tribute to him will be to continue to grow the business
he loved.”
JR stepped down as CEO of Shaw Communications in 1998 when his
eldest son, the late Jim Shaw took over. Current CEO, Brad Shaw,
began in the role in 2010. JR remained active in the company he
built, serving as Executive Chairman.
“JR was an icon in the industry, and he was extraordinarily
passionate in delivering connectivity and customer service to
millions of Canadians. His vision and insight combined with his
warmth of character created a magic touch among everyone who knew
and worked with him,” said Paul Pew, Lead Director, Shaw
Communications. “His remarkable legacy will live on through his
family’s continued leadership of the company.”
In accordance with the Company’s succession plan, the intention
of JR and the Shaw family, and with the support of the Board, Brad
Shaw will assume the role of Executive Chair on an interim basis in
addition to his role as CEO. The Company’s intention is to
confirm this appointment at the upcoming April 9, 2020 Board
meeting.
In 1966, JR founded Capital Cable Television Co. Ltd., a
start-up cable provider, to offer people more choice and greater
access to TV content. Capital Cable went on the air in Edmonton for
the first time in 1971 and connected its first cable customer that
same year in Sherwood Park. Over the decades, and under the
leadership of JR, Shaw rapidly expanded through acquisitions and
organic growth opportunities.
The Company built a substantial radio and television
broadcasting group that was eventually spun out as a separate
public company, Corus Entertainment. In 1996, the Company
introduced Western Canadians to the Internet, and in 2005 Shaw
launched its home phone residential service.
In 2016, Shaw acquired WIND Mobile (later rebranding to Freedom
Mobile) to give Canadians more choice, value and affordability from
a Canadian wireless provider. The acquisition of a strong regional
wireless carrier gave Shaw a wireless network footprint that could
be combined with the strength of its wireline network to usher in
new technologies — like 5G — that will keep Canadians better
connected than ever before.
In addition to his significant contribution to the growth of
Shaw Communications and to Canadian business, JR Shaw was a
passionate supporter of Canadian art and artists, and numerous
local and national charitable causes. JR has been recognized with
numerous awards and honours, including being named Officer of the
Order of Canada, a recipient of the Alberta Order of Excellence,
honorary degrees from University of Alberta, University of
Calgary, and Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa
and being named a proud member of the Canadian Business Hall of
Fame and the Cable Hall of Fame. JR was also instrumental in the
creation of the Shaw Charity Classic, Calgary’s legendary stop on
the PGA TOUR Champions that has raised more than $48 million for
Alberta charities since 2013.
The Board of Directors and all employees of Shaw Communications
express their deepest condolences and sympathy to the Shaw family
for their loss.
About ShawShaw Communications Inc. is a leading
Canadian connectivity company. The Wireline division consists of
Consumer and Business services. Consumer serves residential
customers with broadband Internet, Shaw Go WiFi, video and digital
phone. Business provides business customers with Internet, data,
WiFi, digital phone and video services. The Wireless division
provides wireless voice and LTE data services through an expanding
and improving mobile wireless network infrastructure.
Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and
is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX - SJR.B,
SJR.PR.A, SJR.PR.B, NYSE – SJR, and TSXV – SJR.A). For more
information, please visit www.shaw.ca
For media inquiries, please contact: Shaw
Communications Inc. Chethan Lakshman, VP, External Affairs(403)
930-8448chethan.lakshman@sjrb.ca
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