Gerry Schwartz, CEO, Onex

Few working in private equity and investment banking over the last three decades will have failed to hear the name of Gerry Schwartz. A pioneer in financial services, Schwartz set up buyout firm Onex in 1983 and the outfit’s growth has been nothing short of astronomical since then. The company has reacted well to regulatory changes over the past few years under Schwartz’s stewardship, and continues to be a stalwart of North American commerce, which is reflected in the fact that Schwartz is one of Canada’s best paid executives. The billionaire’s philanthropic efforts also stand out, with a number of donations made to the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in his name.