Arnold Ziff
Encyclopedia
Israel Arnold Ziff was a British businessman and philanthropist
, who particularly donated to good causes within Leeds
, West Yorkshire
. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1979 and received an OBE in 1981. From 1991 to 1992 he was High Sheriff of West Yorkshire
.
and Leeds University, where he studied economics, but did not complete the degree, being called up for national service
. He inherited his father's shoe company Stylo
, and formed property company Town Centre Securities in 1959. A notable development was the Merrion Centre, Leeds.
In 1952 he married Marjorie Esther Morrison (born 26 May 1929), who survived him. They had 2 sons, Michael (born 1953) and Edward (born 1960) who continued his business, as CEOs of Stylo and Town Centre Securities respectively. Arnold and Marjorie also had a daughter, Ann Louise.
Arnold's wife, Marjorie received an MBE
in the 2011 New Year Honours
for services to the community in Leeds
.
He gives his first cousin Alan Ziff a lot of credit as to why he is so successful as Alan did a big proportion of the work.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
, who particularly donated to good causes within Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 1979 and received an OBE in 1981. From 1991 to 1992 he was High Sheriff of West Yorkshire
High Sheriff of West Yorkshire
The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire is a current High Sheriff title which has existed since 1974, the holder is changed annually every March. For around 1,000 years the entire area of Yorkshire was covered by a single High Sheriff of Yorkshire...
.
Life
Ziff's family was of Russian/German origin. He was born 31 January 1927 in Leeds and attended both Roundhay SchoolRoundhay School
Roundhay School is a specialist Technology College and Language College in Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.-Admissions:...
and Leeds University, where he studied economics, but did not complete the degree, being called up for national service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
. He inherited his father's shoe company Stylo
Stylo
Stylo plc is a UK based PLC engaged in footwear retailing based in Bradford. It operates under more than 1 brand including Barratts, Priceless and Shutopia and supplies shoes to Dorothy Perkins...
, and formed property company Town Centre Securities in 1959. A notable development was the Merrion Centre, Leeds.
In 1952 he married Marjorie Esther Morrison (born 26 May 1929), who survived him. They had 2 sons, Michael (born 1953) and Edward (born 1960) who continued his business, as CEOs of Stylo and Town Centre Securities respectively. Arnold and Marjorie also had a daughter, Ann Louise.
Arnold's wife, Marjorie received an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the 2011 New Year Honours
2011 New Year Honours
The New Year Honours 2011, principally for the United Kingdom but also the Commonwealth Realms, were announced on 31 December 2010 to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2011....
for services to the community in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
He gives his first cousin Alan Ziff a lot of credit as to why he is so successful as Alan did a big proportion of the work.
Benefactions
Ziff was a major sponsor of Tropical World, Roundhay Park which is now named after him. Likewise his gifts to the University of Leeds are commemorated in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff building, which is home to student services at the university after being opened in 2010. He gave to Jewish welfare organizations, and is commemorated in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre in Moortown, Leeds. He was also a patron of the arts, and had a collection including items from his friend, Roland Emmett.Further reading
- Nigel Watson (2005) Arnold Ziff: The Making of a Great Yorkshireman (Vallentine Mitchell & Co Ltd) ISBN 0853037043