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Ivor Ichikowitz

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Ivor Ichikowitz
Ivor Ichikowitz
Born
Springs, Gauteng, South Africa
NationalitySouth Africa
Alma materUniversity of Witwatersrand
Occupation(s)Business Executive and Philanthropist
Known forExecutive chairman of Paramount Group, Ichikowitz Family Foundation
Websitehttp://www.ivorichikowitz.com/profile.php

Ivor Ichikowitz (born September 1966) is a South African businessman, founder and executive chairman of Paramount Group.[1][2][3][4] Ichikowitz is also an executive chairman of TransAfrica Capital[5] and the Ichikowitz Family Foundation.[6]

He is an entrepreneur and industrialist, advocating South Africa and the wider continent's manufacturing capacity and championing a developing engineering sector for the social and economic advancement of Africa.[7][8]

Early life and education

Ichikowitz was born in the mining town of Springs, South Africa, where he experienced first-hand the many challenges of the country's transition.[9] His father, Louis, imported Suzuki motorcycles, setting the foundation on which Ichikowitz would later build his own company.[9][10]

Ichikowitz studied drama at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.[11] During his time at university he became involved with protest theatre, before travelling throughout Africa and studying African literature.[11]

Career

During the past twenty years, Ichikowitz has developed a number of businesses including defence and aerospace, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and sustainable development, property, retail and tourism.[9]

Ichikowitz founded the Paramount Group in 1994, to operate in the global defence, internal security and peacekeeping industries.[9][12][13] he group manufactures a range of armoured vehicles[14][15] and deals in surplus South African military equipment,[16] including fighter aircraft.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).[17][needs update]

Paramount Group operates in countries in the Middle East, South America and Africa, as well as in India.[18]

In addition to his role at Paramount Group, Ichikowitz is the executive chairman of private equity group TransAfrica Capital, which invests in scientific research and development projects.[9]

In 2015 Ichikowitz was named as one of Africa’s 100 most influential people by New African, the world’s largest pan-African magazine.[19] He was listed as one of the most influential Africans in business and economics.

Controversy

Ichikowitz has been criticised for being a "close ally" of the ruling African National Congress (ANC),[20] and for providing President Jacob Zuma with an aircraft to use for an ANC fundraising and business trip to Lebanon and Kazakhstan.[21][22] Another flight by Zuma to the United States on an aircraft owned by Ichikowitz in 2011 caused considerable controversy when the cost (R6.3 million) was questioned in parliament.[23] The official presidential aircraft, operated by the South African Air Force, was not available for the flight.[24][25][26]

Ichikowitz has also been criticised for his involvement in the controversial Oil-for-Food Programme in the aftermath of the Gulf War.[27]

Philanthropic interests

Ichikowitz is the founder of a philanthropic organisation called the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, established in 2010.[28] The Foundation is focused on developing Africa through education programmes, promotion of human rights, a better understanding of Africa's modern history and the conservation of the continent's biodiversity.[29][30] The Foundation is actively involved in wildlife conservation of endangered species, especially the protection of Africa's rhinos and elephant population.[31]

Personal life

Ichikowitz is married with two children.

References

  1. ^ Minto, Rob (17 August 2012). "Corporate watch: Paramount Group takes off with new aircraft". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Paramount Chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz, calls for leadership in innovation". Defence Web. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  3. ^ "African Aerospace – Paramount Group inspires next generation of African engineers". Africanaerospace.aero. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  4. ^ The African Business Journal p.30-40. March 2013. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ "transafricacapital.com".
  6. ^ "SouthAfrica.info".
  7. ^ "Ivor Ichikowitz – Executive Chairman, Paramount Group". ABN Digital. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Lessons for SA in growth elsewhere in Africa | Opinion & Analysis". BDlive. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  9. ^ a b c d e Tilley, Les (September 2012). "The Can-Do Man of Action". Forbes p.54.
  10. ^ Duval Smith, Alex. "Arms and the Man". Monocle.
  11. ^ a b Kidd, Kenneth (4 December 2011). "South Africa's unlikely ally". Toronto Star. p. 9.
  12. ^ From Diana Magnay, CNN. "South Africa's booming defense industry - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 26 April 2013. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  13. ^ "SA's defence industry ties growing apace". FM. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  14. ^ "The Marauder, part 1 (Series 17, Episode 1) – BBC Top Gear". Topgear.com. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  15. ^ "AAD 2012: Paramount launches new vehicle variant – News – Shephard". Shephardmedia.com. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  16. ^ "South Africa has sold R4.8 billion worth of weaponry this year". DefenceWeb. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  17. ^ Mantshantsha, Sikonathi (17 September 2012). "Paramount to Fly Africa's Latest Military Plane Next Year". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Paramount Group enters into joint venture with International Golden Group". Strategic Defence Intelligence. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Newsbeat Portal".
  20. ^ Stephan Hofstatter, Rob Rose And Mzilikazi Wa Afrika. "Arms and the man who would be king". Times LIVE. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Ivor the invincible". City Press. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  22. ^ "Crony capitalists on JZ's coat-tails | News | National | Mail & Guardian". Mg.co.za. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  23. ^ "DA wants answers on Zuma's US trip – The Star". IOL.co.za. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  24. ^ "Eyewitness News: Zuma's R6.3m US flight". Ewn.co.za. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  25. ^ "Eyewitness News: More questions raised over Zuma's hired jet". Ewn.co.za. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  26. ^ "Zuma flies "Air Ichikowitz"". DefenceWeb. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  27. ^ "The arms dealer who flies Zuma". sareporter.com. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  28. ^ "SA using aircraft to fight poaching". News24. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  29. ^ "New measures to combat rhino poaching – Crime & Courts | IOL News". IOL.co.za. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  30. ^ "Paramount donates aircraft to combat rhino poaching". DefenceWeb. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  31. ^ "ichikowitzfoundation.com".
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