F.A. (Fred) Atiq was the Founder and Chairman of Next Equities and a highly respected serial entrepreneur.  Fred moved to Edmonton at the age of 19 from India to pursue an Engineering diploma from NAIT.  From there, his entrepreneurial spirit and infectious personality led him to start and grow several highly successful businesses.  For his accomplishments, he was recognized with numerous prestigious awards – including the highly coveted Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.   More impressively though, Fred was a man who lived with the belief that no task was too small for a leader; no team-member too junior to welcome into his office; and that nothing was more important than integrity.   After a brief but valiant battle with lymphoma, Fred passed in May 2021.  The Next Equities team is dedicated to carry forth his legacy and live by his example.