London Inc. February 2022 - 30

James Baker
Vice President, Heritage Renovations Windows & Door | 38
As vice president of Heritage Renovations Windows & Doors, a company he runs with his sister, Shannon
Baker-Ruffell, James Baker has led the firm to dramatic growth through the expansion of sales and
services in both the commercial and residential components of the business. Over the past five years, the
strategies have enabled Heritage to add more than 30 new jobs, including over 10 during the pandemic,
and significantly expand its geographic footprint in the region. A committed advocate for the industry at
large, he was instrumental in creating a first-of-its-kind window and door installer program in partnership
with Fanshawe College, bringing a much-needed boost to the region's skilled trades labour pool.
What would you call your biggest business achievement,
and why? In my industry there is a significant skilled labour
shortage, which was an obstacle to achieve my aggressive
growth plans. I focused on creating sustainable growth within
my industry by creating the first ever collegiate Window
and Door Installation program in the country, along with
partners Fanshawe College and North Star Windows.
Through securing Ministry of Labour approval and
funding, creating the curriculum from the ground
up and being selected as a lead facilitator, I was
able to encourage and educate newcomers to
the industry to help fuel the growth of both
Heritage Renovation as well as the industry
an
uri
at
ng se ec
ourag
to he
as a whole.
Who, or what, was your biggest business
influence? That would be my father, Steve Baker,
retired president and CEO of the London
International Airport. From a young age,
I watched and learned from my father
- what it meant to be a strong and
confident person, a hard worker,
a leader, a communicator and the
importance of family. There was
never a task or job I heard my
father complain about; he never
said something was too hard,
beneath him or impossible to
complete.
s yo r b
ld e my fat
sident and CEO of the London
nal Airport. From a young age,
nd learned from my father
meant to be a strong and
erson, a hard worker,
ommunicator and the
e of family. There was
k or job I heard my
plain about; he never
hing was too hard,
m or impossible to
What advice would you give
your younger self? Work
hard, work fast, set goals and
timelines - then do it again!
e wo d you gi
er self Wor
f
, s t goals a
- then do it again!
ker
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work, my focus is always family
first. I enjoy spending time with my
family, watching my kids play
competitive sports, taking
them on new experiences
and travelling.
Wha
Ou
you l
e of work, my focus i
. I e
am
com
an
ive s
em on new
l
y spen
e
d e
ue
we Co ege and No h Sta Window
Mini
a lea
of La our appro
um rom t e gr
ator, I w
ac
wcomer
of bot
enovation as well as the industry
an
nd
I watched and learned from my father -
what it meant to be a strong and confident
person, a hard worker, a leader, a communicator
and the importance of family. There
was never a task or job I heard my father
complain about; he never said s
was too hard, beneath
impossible
b I heard
complain about; he never said something
was too hard, beneath
him or impossible to complete
him
comp
30 | londonincmagazine.ca | FEBRUARY 2022
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London Inc. February 2022

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