Allan R. Taylor
Allan Richard Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 14, 1932 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Occupation | Banking executive |
| Years active | 1948–1995 |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of Royal Bank of Canada (1986–1995) |
Allan Richard Taylor OC (born 14 September 1932) is a retired Canadian banking executive. Beginning his career at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as a sixteen-year-old clerk, he eventually ascended to the roles of chairman and CEO, holding these positions from 1986 until 1995.
Biography
Originating from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Taylor progressed steadily within RBC, undertaking assignments across Saskatchewan, Ontario, New York, and Montreal. His notable appointments included assistant general manager in 1970, manager of the Toronto Branch between 1971 and 1974, followed by deputy general manager and subsequently general manager of the International Division from 1974 to 1983. In 1983, he was elevated to president and chief operating officer. Upon Rowland Frazee’s retirement in 1986, Taylor assumed the chairman and CEO roles, maintaining leadership until November 1994 when he relinquished the CEO position and retired as chairman in 1995.
Taylor’s board memberships extend to organizations such as Brain Canada Foundation, NeuroScience Canada Partnership, Canadian Pacific Limited, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, General Motors Canada, TransCanada Pipelines, and United Dominion Industries. He served as chair of the Canadian Bankers Association from 1984 to 1986, led the International Monetary Conference during 1992–93, and held the vice chair position at the Business Council on National Issues.
His involvement in education and nonprofit initiatives includes chairmanship of Junior Achievement of Canada, founding director status at the Corporate Higher Education Forum, and significant support for capital fundraising efforts at Queen’s University. Additionally, he contributed advisory expertise to both the Richard Ivey School of Business and Northeastern University Business School.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Taylor was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1994 and was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2006. He has received honorary doctorates from multiple institutions: University of Regina, Concordia University, Queen’s University, Laval University, and University of Ottawa.
Among his accolades are the 1992 International Executive of the Year award granted by the Canadian Council for International Business as well as commendations from the Public Policy Forum, Conference Board of Canada, Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, and Canadian Executive Service Overseas.
Taylor lives in Toronto with his wife Shirley; they are parents to two children and grandparents to three grandchildren.