Ivor Ichikowitz
Ivor Ichikowitz | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Alma mater | University of Witwatersrand |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Executive chairman of Paramount Group |
Ivor Ichikowitz (born 1966) is a South African businessman, founder and executive chairman of Paramount Group.[1][2][3][4]
He is a well-known entrepreneur and industrialist, advocating South Africa and the wider continent's manufacturing capacity and regularly championing the importance of a developing engineering sector for the social and economic advancement of Africa.[5][6]
Early life and education
Ivor Ichikowitz was born in 1966 in the mining town of Springs in South Africa where he experienced first-hand the many challenges of the country's transition.[7]
Ichikowitz's father, Louis, began importing Suzuki motorcycles, setting the foundation on which Ivor would later build his own company – Paramount Group.[7][8]
Ichikowitz studied drama at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.[9] During his time at university Ichikowitz became involved with protest theatre before travelling in Africa and studying African literature.[9]
Career
During the past twenty years Ichikowitz has developed a number of businesses across the African continent – spanning defence and aerospace, mining, oil and gas, agriculture and sustainable development, property, retail and tourism.[7]
Ichikowitz founded Paramount Group in 1994. The company operates in the global defence, internal security and peacekeeping industries.[7][10][11]
The Paramount Group manufactures a range of armoured vehicles[12][13] and deals in surplus South African military equipment,[14] including fighter aircraft.[15]
In 2011 Paramount Group launched the AHRLAC, due to take its first flight in 2013.[16][17] 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.[7]
Controversy
Ichikowitz has been criticised for being a "close ally" of the ruling African National Congress (ANC),[19] and for providing President Jacob Zuma with an aircraft to use for an ANC fundraising and business trip to Lebanon and Kazakhstan.[20][21] Another flight by Zuma to the United States on an aircraft owned by Ichikowitz in 2011 caused considerable controversy when the cost of R6.3 million was questioned in parliament.[22] The official presidential aircraft, operated by the South African Air Force, was not available for the flight.[23][24][25] Ichikowitz has also been criticised for his involvement in the controversial Oil-for-Food Programme in the aftermath of the Gulf War.[26]
Philanthropic interests
Ichikowitz maintains a philanthropic organisation called the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, founded in 2010.[27] The Foundation is focussed 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.[28][29]
References
- ^ Minto, Rob (17 August 2012). "Corporate watch: Paramount Group takes off with new aircraft". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ "Paramount Chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz, calls for leadership in innovation". Defence Web. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ "African Aerospace – Paramount Group inspires next generation of African engineers". Africanaerospace.aero. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ The African Business Journal p.30-40. March 2013.
{{cite news}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Ivor Ichikowitz – Executive Chairman, Paramount Group". ABN Digital. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ "Lessons for SA in growth elsewhere in Africa | Opinion & Analysis". BDlive. 13 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Tilley, Les (September 2012). "The Can-Do Man of Action". Forbes p.54.
- ^ Duval Smith, Alex. "Arms and the Man". Monocle.
- ^ a b Kidd, Kenneth (4 December 2011). "South Africa's unlikely ally". Toronto Star. p. 9.
- ^ 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) - ^ "SA's defence industry ties growing apace". FM. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "The Marauder, part 1 (Series 17, Episode 1) – BBC Top Gear". Topgear.com. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "AAD 2012: Paramount launches new vehicle variant – News – Shephard". Shephardmedia.com. 18 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "South Africa has sold R4.8 billion worth of weaponry this year". DefenceWeb. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Paramount confirms Mirage F1AZs delivered to Congo-Brazzaville, eyes future customers". DefenceWeb. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Corporate watch: Paramount Group takes off with new aircraft | beyondbrics". Blogs.ft.com. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Mantshantsha, Sikonathi (17 September 2012). "Paramount to Fly Africa's Latest Military Plane Next Year". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Paramount Group enters into joint venture with International Golden Group". Strategic Defence Intelligence. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ Stephan Hofstatter, Rob Rose And Mzilikazi Wa Afrika. "Arms and the man who would be king". Times LIVE. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Ivor the invincible". City Press. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Crony capitalists on JZ's coat-tails | News | National | Mail & Guardian". Mg.co.za. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "DA wants answers on Zuma's US trip – The Star". IOL.co.za. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Eyewitness News: Zuma's R6.3m US flight". Ewn.co.za. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Eyewitness News: More questions raised over Zuma's hired jet". Ewn.co.za. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Zuma flies "Air Ichikowitz"". DefenceWeb. 21 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "The arms dealer who flies Zuma". sareporter.com. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "SA using aircraft to fight poaching". News24. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "New measures to combat rhino poaching – Crime & Courts | IOL News". IOL.co.za. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
- ^ "Paramount donates aircraft to combat rhino poaching". DefenceWeb. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2013.