About

Donald Gordon

Sir Donald Gordon was a highly successful South African entrepreneur and a generous philanthropist.

Sir Donald Gordon

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orn on June 24, 1930, he left a profound impact on the financial sector and the arts and business communities. In recognition of his remarkable achievements he was honoured with the title of Achiever of the Century by The Financial Mail and was knighted in 2005 for his services to the arts and to business. He also received honorary doctorates in Economic Science from the University of the Witwatersrand and in Commerce from the University of Pretoria.

As a schoolboy Gordon faced financial constraints that prevented him from studying science. Nonetheless, his determination led him to study accounting part-time while working. In 1953, he qualified as an accountant and subsequently founded Liberty Life, a life insurance company that grew to become one of South Africa’s greatest success stories. Liberty Life gained control over prominent entities like the Standard Bank Group, the Guardian National Insurance Company, South African Breweries, the Premier Group, and other major companies.

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eyond South Africa, Sir Donald expanded his business ventures into the United Kingdom, co-founding the Abbey Life Insurance Company with Sir Mark Weinberg in 1962. Abbey Life flourished to become one of the largest proprietary life offices in the UK, eventually becoming part of the Lloyds Abbey Group.

Liberty International Holdings was established
in 1981, holding dominant stakes in Sun Life Assurance Society and Capital & Counties, which owns the Covent Garden precinct in London. Liberty International ultimately became the largest owner of shopping centres in the UK

Sir Donald Gordon was not only a trailblazer in business but also a pioneer in introducing retirement annuity products and unit trusts to South Africa, showcasing his commitment to innovation.

His passion, patience, honesty, integrity, and boundless generosity were evident to everyone who knew him.
Sir Donald had a unique ability to see opportunities in every situation and turn adversity into advantage.
He loved his work and approached it with such dedication that he never saw it as just a job.

Sir Donald with Nelson Mandela & Graca Machel

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is philanthropic efforts were equally significant. Through the Donald Gordon Foundation, established in 1971, he supported projects that encouraged excellence, protected democracy, and cared for the community. The foundation’s flagship projects included the Gordon Institute of Business Science (“GIBS”) and The Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Africa’s first and only private teaching hospital, founded in 2002. Additionally, his love for music led him to donate £ 20 million to the Royal Opera House and Wales Millennium Centre in 2003.

Professor Nick Binedell, former dean of GIBS, says, “In terms of pure drive, energy and business acumen, Donald was one of South Africa’s greatest. Through my own involvement with two significant local institutions I came to know Sir Donald over the years. Firstly, as we looked to secure funding for what is now the Wits School of Governance, which opened its doors in the mid-1990s and was the first school of governance at an English-speaking university in South Africa. His foundation provided the capital to establish this institution. And, secondly, we were again brought together when starting the GIBS in 2000.”

Sir Donald Gordon’s legacy is that of a visionary with extraordinary acumen, unwavering values, and boundless energy. He had the courage to pursue his convictions and a keen eye to identify opportunities and address areas of need. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the business world, education, and philanthropy, making him an inspiring figure for generations to come.

About

Donald Gordon

Sir Donald Gordon was a highly successful South African entrepreneur and a generous philanthropist.

Sir Donald Gordon

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Sir Donald with Nelson Mandela & Graca Machel

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www.donaldgordon.org

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