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Michael Latifi

Michael Mehrdad Latifi is an Iranian-Canadian businessman and the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sofina Foods Inc., a food manufacturing company based in Markham, Ontario.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Michael Mehrdad Latifi is an Iranian-Canadian businessman and the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Sofina Foods Inc., a food manufacturing company based in Markham, Ontario. He is also known for investments in Formula One, including a stake in McLaren Group through his investment company Nidala.

Early life

Michael Latifi was born in Iran in October 1962. Public sources describe him as Iranian-Canadian, but detailed biographical information about his early life is limited in the provided sources.

Sofina Foods

Latifi founded Sofina Foods after buying a meat processing plant in Scarborough, Ontario in 1995. The company grew into a multinational food business with operations across Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Motor racing investments

Latifi became known outside food manufacturing for investing in McLaren Group through Nidala, his investment company. Sources report that the stake was about 10% in 2018.

Public profile

Latifi is frequently described as a billionaire businessman, although estimates of his wealth vary widely across sources. He is also often mentioned in connection with his son, former Formula One driver Nicholas Latifi.

Key facts

  • Latifi is the owner, chairman and CEO of Sofina Foods Inc.
  • Sofina Foods was founded after Latifi acquired a meat processing plant in Scarborough, Ontario in 1995.
  • He is described as an Iranian-Canadian businessman.
  • Latifi has been linked to a 10% investment in McLaren Group through Nidala in 2018.
  • He is the father of Formula One driver Nicholas Latifi.
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Canadian context

Latifi is a Canadian-based entrepreneur whose company Sofina Foods is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, and whose business activity has made him a notable figure in Canadian food manufacturing.[1][2][4]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michael Latifi?
Michael Latifi is an Iranian-Canadian businessman best known as the founder, chairman and CEO of Sofina Foods Inc.
What is Sofina Foods?
Sofina Foods is a Canadian food manufacturing company based in Markham, Ontario, with operations reported in Canada, the UK and Europe.
How did Michael Latifi build his business?
According to available sources, he entered the food sector after working in information technology and later acquired a Scarborough meat plant in 1995, which became the basis for Sofina Foods.
Is Michael Latifi connected to Formula One?
Yes. Sources report that he invested in McLaren Group through Nidala in 2018, and he is also the father of former Formula One driver Nicholas Latifi.
What is Michael Latifi's nationality?
He is described in the sources as Iranian-Canadian.
Is his net worth certain?
No. The provided sources give differing wealth estimates, so a precise figure is not reliably established here.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Latifi
    Supports: Full name, birth month/year, nationality, role at Sofina Foods, Markham headquarters.
  2. LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/posts/desautelsdmaa26_awards-ceremony-activity-7430280057933357056--XVm
    Supports: Founder/chairman/CEO role; acquisition of Scarborough plant in 1995; growth of Sofina Foods.
  3. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Latifi
    Supports: Iranian-Canadian description and Sofina Foods ownership/leadership.
  4. Paddock Magazine — https://www.thepaddockmagazine.com/profiles-rich-list-michael-latifi/
    Supports: Description of Sofina Foods as one of Canada’s largest food groups.
  5. SalmonBusiness — https://www.salmonbusiness.com/michael-latifi-takes-the-wheel-owner-of-sofina-foods-now-running-youngs-parent-company/
    Supports: Latifi as founder and executive chair of Sofina Foods and UK/European operations.
  6. EssentiallySports — https://www.essentiallysports.com/f1-news-who-is-michael-latifi-billionaire-father-of-williams-driver-nicholas-latifi/
    Supports: Family connection to Nicholas Latifi; Sofina Foods sponsorship mention; McLaren investment claim.
  7. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Latifi?oldformat=true
    Supports: Investment via Nidala in McLaren Group and family relation to Nicholas Latifi.