people

Robert Lee: Lifetime Achievement

By BCBusiness /

Robert Lee The Prospero Group Robert Lee has not only left a mark on his home city of Vancouver through a remarkable career in real estate but he has set the bar for community involvement through his tireless commitment to numerous boards and foundations. The UBC graduate co-founded Wall Financial Corp. (WFC-T) in 1966 before setting off on his own to found the Prospero Group in 1979. In 1987 he founded UBC Properties to introduce the development of market housing as a source of revenue to secure the university’s future. Lee was responsible for developing Hampton Court, which to date has contributed $400 million to UBC, and he’s currently developing 200 hectares on the south campus, which is expected to generate another $1 billion for his alma mater.

Lee has received numerous awards, including the Order of Canada, the Order of B.C. and an honorary Doctor of Laws from UBC. The graduate school of the Sauder School of Business has been named in his honour and the new downtown YMCA will also carry his name. Current directorships include Canadian National Railway, Wall Financial Corp. and Multivan Broadcast Corp. (Channel M Television). Not only has Robert Lee exhibited the exceptional drive and business acumen exemplifying the successful entrepreneur but through his example he typifies the kind of public mentorship needed to continually renew the business ecosystems of B.C. and Canada.