Ivor Ichikowitz

Ivor Ichikowitz (born 1966) is a South African businessman, founder and executive chairman of Paramount Group.^[1][2][3][4]

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.^[5][6]

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.^[7] His father, Louis, imported Suzuki motorcycles, setting the foundation on which Ichikowitz would later build his own company.^[7][8]

Ichikowitz studied drama at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.^[9] During his time at university he became involved with protest theatre, before travelling throughout 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 the Paramount Group in 1994, to operate in the global defence, internal security and peacekeeping industries.^[7][10][11] The group manufactures a range of armoured vehicles^[12][13] and deals in surplus South African military equipment,^[14] including fighter aircraft.^[15]

In 2011 the Paramount Group launched the Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft, 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 (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, established in 2010.^[27] 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.^[28][29]

References

External links

• Ivor Ichikowitz Official Website
• Ichikowitz Family Foundation