Michael Latifi
Michael Mehrdad Latifi is an Iranian-Canadian businessman and entrepreneur who founded Sofina Foods Inc., a Markham, Ontario-based manufacturer of processed animal products, in 2006, becoming its Chairman and CEO. His company acquired Lilydale in a C$130 million deal in 2010, and Santa Maria Foods ULC, an importer and distributor of specialty Italian brands, in 2012.
Through the investment company Nidala Limited, which is controlled by Latifi, he invested £200 million in McLaren Group.
As Michael is the father of Nicholas Latifi, a driver currently with Williams's Formula One team, the investment led to speculations that Nicholas could eventually be lined up for a more prominent role with McLaren. However, McLaren CEO Zak Brown has said this had not been part of any conversation prior to investment.
