Examine individual changes

'{{Use British English|date=May 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2013}} {{Infobox person | name = Ivor Ichikowitz | image =Ivor Ichikowitz Portrait Photograph.jpg | alt = | caption = Ivor Ichikowitz | birth_date = <!-- {{Birth date and age|1966|MM|DD}} or {{Birth-date and age|Month DD, YYYY}} --> | birth_place = [[Springs, Gauteng]], South Africa | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|Month DD, YYYY|Month DD, YYYY}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | nationality = South Africa | other_names = | alma_mater = [[University of Witwatersrand]] | occupation = Business Executive and Philanthropist | known_for = Executive chairman of [[Paramount Group]], Ichikowitz Family Foundation | website = http://www.ivorichikowitz.com/profile.php | Twitter = https://twitter.com/ivorichikowitz }} '''Ivor Ichikowitz''' (born September 1966) is a [[South African]] businessman, founder and executive chairman of [[Paramount Group]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2012/08/17/corporate-watch-paramount-group-takes-off/#axzz2FVlMHXym|title=Corporate watch: Paramount Group takes off with new aircraft|last=Minto|first=Rob|date=17 August 2012|work=[[Financial Times]]|accessdate=9 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27810&Itemid=116|title=Paramount Chairman, Ivor Ichikowitz, calls for leadership in innovation|date=23 September 2012|work=Defence Web|accessdate=9 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanaerospace.aero/paramount-group-inspires-next-generation-of-african-engineers.html |title=African Aerospace – Paramount Group inspires next generation of African engineers |publisher=Africanaerospace.aero |date=8 November 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |magazine=The African Business Journal p.30-40 |date=March 2013}}</ref> Ichikowitz is also an executive chairman of TransAfrica Capital<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.transafricacapital.com/about.html|title=transafricacapital.com|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> and the Ichikowitz Family Foundation<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/i-am-constitution-110516.htm#.V2Pb-LsrLIU|title=SouthAfrica.info|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>. 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abndigital.com/page/multimedia/video/entrepreneurial-edge/1320967-Ivor-Ichikowitz-Executive-Chairman-Paramount-Group-Part-1|title=Ivor Ichikowitz – Executive Chairman, Paramount Group|work=ABN Digital|accessdate=9 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/2012/09/13/lessons-for-sa-in-growth-elsewhere-in-africa |title=Lessons for SA in growth elsewhere in Africa &#124; Opinion & Analysis |publisher=BDlive |date=13 September 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> ==Early life and education== Ichikowitz was born in the mining town of [[Springs, Gauteng|Springs]], South Africa, where he experienced first-hand the many challenges of the country's transition.<ref name="Tilley2012">{{cite news |title=The Can-Do Man of Action |first=Les |last=Tilley |url= |magazine=Forbes p.54 |date=September 2012}}</ref> His father, Louis, imported [[Suzuki]] motorcycles, setting the foundation on which Ichikowitz would later build his own company.<ref name="Tilley2012" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Arms and the Man |first=Alex |last=Duval Smith |url= |magazine=Monocle |date= }}</ref> Ichikowitz studied drama at the [[University of Witwatersrand]] in [[Johannesburg]], South Africa.<ref name="Kidd2011">{{cite news |title=South Africa's unlikely ally |first=Kenneth |last=Kidd |url=http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2011/12/04/south_africas_unlikely_ally.html |newspaper=Toronto Star |page=9 |date=4 December 2011}}</ref> During his time at university he became involved with protest theatre, before travelling throughout Africa and studying African literature.<ref name="Kidd2011" /> == Career == During the past twenty years, Ichikowitz has developed a number of businesses across the African continent; spanning [[defence industry|defence]] and [[aerospace]], mining, oil and gas, agriculture and sustainable development, [[property]], retail and tourism.<ref name="Tilley2012" /> Ichikowitz founded the [[Paramount Group]] in 1994, to operate in the global defence, internal security and peacekeeping industries.<ref name="Tilley2012" /><ref>{{cite web|author=From Diana Magnay, CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/09/17/south.africa.defense.industry/index.html |title=South Africa's booming defense industry - CNN.com |publisher=Edition.cnn.com |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fm.co.za/business/fox/2012/12/07/sa-s-defence-industry-ties-growing-apace |title=SA's defence industry ties growing apace |publisher=FM |date=7 December 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> The group manufactures a range of [[armoured vehicles]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/the-marauder-part-1-series-17-episode-1 |title=The Marauder, part 1 (Series 17, Episode 1) – BBC Top Gear |publisher=Topgear.com |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/aad-12-paramount-launches-new-vehicle-variant/ |title=AAD 2012: Paramount launches new vehicle variant – News – Shephard |publisher=Shephardmedia.com |date=18 September 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> and deals in surplus South African military equipment,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27616&Itemid=242 |title=South Africa has sold R4.8 billion worth of weaponry this year |publisher=DefenceWeb |date=10 September 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> including fighter aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14988:paramount-confirms-mirage-f1azs-delivered-to-congo-brazzaville-eyes-future-customers&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107 |title=Paramount confirms Mirage F1AZs delivered to Congo-Brazzaville, eyes future customers |publisher=DefenceWeb |date=21 April 2011 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> In 2011 the Paramount Group launched the [[AHRLAC|Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft]], due to take its first flight in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2012/08/17/corporate-watch-paramount-group-takes-off/ |title=Corporate watch: Paramount Group takes off with new aircraft &#124; beyondbrics |publisher=Blogs.ft.com |date=17 August 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mantshantsha |first=Sikonathi |url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-17/paramount-to-fly-africa-s-latest-military-plane-next-year.html |title=Paramount to Fly Africa's Latest Military Plane Next Year |publisher=Bloomberg |date=17 September 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref>{{Update inline|reason=First flight date?|date=February 2015}} Paramount Group operates in countries in the Middle East, South America and Africa, as well as in [[India]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strategicdefenceintelligence.com/article/da5e672ff3/2011/02/23/Paramount_Group_enters_into_joint_venture_with_Int/ |title=Paramount Group enters into joint venture with International Golden Group |publisher=Strategic Defence Intelligence |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Tilley2012" /> In 2015 Ichikowitz was named as one of Africa’s 100 most influential people by New African, the world’s largest pan-African magazine<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsbeatportal.com/list-of-100-most-influential-people-in-africa|title=Newsbeat Portal|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref>. 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),<ref>{{cite web|author=Stephan Hofstatter, Rob Rose And Mzilikazi Wa Afrika |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/specialreports/stinvestigations/2013/03/27/arms-and-the-man-who-would-be-king |title=Arms and the man who would be king |publisher=Times LIVE |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> and for providing President [[Jacob Zuma]] with an aircraft to use for an ANC fundraising and business trip to Lebanon and Kazakhstan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypress.co.za/features/ivor-the-invincible-20101010/ |title=Ivor the invincible |publisher=City Press |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2010-03-05-crony-capitalists-on-jzs-coattails |title=Crony capitalists on JZ's coat-tails &#124; News &#124; National &#124; Mail & Guardian |publisher=Mg.co.za |date=5 March 2010 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> Another flight by Zuma to the United States on an aircraft owned by Ichikowitz in 2011 caused considerable controversy when the cost ([[South African rand|R]]6.3 million) was questioned in parliament.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/da-wants-answers-on-zuma-s-us-trip-1.1141559 |title=DA wants answers on Zuma's US trip – The Star |publisher=IOL.co.za |date=21 September 2011 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> The official presidential aircraft, operated by the [[South African Air Force]], was not available for the flight.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ewn.co.za/2011/11/24/Zumas-R63m-US-flight |title=Eyewitness News: Zuma's R6.3m US flight |publisher=Ewn.co.za |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://ewn.co.za/2011/09/20/More-questions-raised-over-Zumas-hired-jet |title=Eyewitness News: More questions raised over Zuma's hired jet |publisher=Ewn.co.za |date= |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19294:zuma-flies-qair-ichikowitzq&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107 |title=Zuma flies "Air Ichikowitz" |publisher=DefenceWeb |date=21 September 2011 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> Ichikowitz has also been criticised for his involvement in the controversial [[Oil-for-Food Programme]] in the aftermath of the [[Gulf War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sareporter.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=490&Itemid=41 |title=The arms dealer who flies Zuma |publisher=sareporter.com |date=13 March 2009 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> == Philanthropic interests == Ichikowitz is the founder of a philanthropic organisation called the ''Ichikowitz Family Foundation'', established in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.news24.com/Green/News/SA-using-aircraft-to-fight-poaching-20121204 |title=SA using aircraft to fight poaching |publisher=News24 |date=4 December 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/new-measures-to-combat-rhino-poaching-1.1435395 |title=New measures to combat rhino poaching – Crime & Courts &#124; IOL News |publisher=IOL.co.za |date=4 December 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28746:paramount-donates-aircraft-to-combat-rhino-poaching&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107 |title=Paramount donates aircraft to combat rhino poaching |publisher=DefenceWeb |date=4 December 2012 |accessdate=2013-04-26}}</ref> The Foundation is actively involved in [[wildlife conservation]] of endangered species, especially the protection of Africa's rhinos and elephant population.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ichikowitzfoundation.com/parabot.php|title=ichikowitzfoundation.com|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}</ref> == Personal Life == Ichikowitz is married with two children. == References == {{reflist|2}} ==External links== *[http://www.ivorichikowitz.com/ Ivor Ichikowitz Official Website] *[http://www.ichikowitzfoundation.com Ichikowitz Family Foundation] {{DEFAULTSORT:Ichikowitz, Ivor}} [[Category:1966 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:South African businesspeople]]'