Aubrey Baillie ‘63, former Chairman of Appleby’s Board of Governors, is one of three generations to attend Appleby College. He was born in 1944 to Frank W. and Marion Baillie (nee Moodie). His father is the late Frank Baillie ’31 (also a former chairman), his uncle Aubrey Baillie ’27 also attended Appleby, and went onto become a Board of Governors chairman from 1989 to 1997. Upon stepping down as Board of Governors Chairman in 1997, Aubrey became chair of the Appleby College Foundation.
Aubrey attended Appleby from 1955-1963 and was Prefect and Head of Powell’s House. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1967 with an B.A. (Hons) in Business Administration, and received his CA certification in 1970 through Clarkson Gordon & Co. With over 30 years of experience in the investment business, Aubrey has held a variety of senior positions at BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. and its predecessor companies including President and Chief Operating Officer (1976-1986 and 1990-1994). More recently he has served as a Director at BFGP Limited and Executive Chairman of Newport Partners GP Inc.
Aubrey first joined Appleby’s Board of Governors in 1971 as an ex-officio member as vice-president of the Old Boys’ Association (now called the Alumni Association). He was first elected to the Board in 1976. During this time, he has served as the treasurer and chair of the finance committee. Aubrey was elected Chairman of the Board in 1989. He has also chaired the committee for governors and the development committee.
Aubrey has overseen several transformations at the school during his tenure as Chairman. These include: four auctions which raised more than $700,000; transforming Appleby from an all-boys school to a coeducational school; narrowing the school’s curriculum from Grades 4-OAC to Grades 7-OAC; the Women’s Association becoming the Parent’s Association; the Health/Athletic Therapy Centres being built; Baillie House being built; the Foundation endowment doubling; the Appleby choir tours Europe; the Whippet (parents’ newsletter) being established; increasing exchange programmes available to students; Appleby becoming a member of the Round Square; a campus computer network is established; six new faculty homes are built and Appleby opens a World Wide Website on the Internet.
Audrey was awarded the Mags Shorey Award in Volunteerism in 2012.
In 2012, Aubrey and his wife Marsha acted as the Honourary Co-chairs for the Centennial Gala Auction.
In 2017 Aubrey stepped down as the Chair of the Appleby College Foundation and once again became Chair of the Board of Governors. He served as Chair until June 2020.
Aubrey and his wife Marsha have three children, Julia, Aubrey ’92 and Samantha ‘99.