Poju Zabludowicz#Art collection
{{Short description|Finnish billionaire (born 1953)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Poju Zabludowicz
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Chaim Zabludowicz
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1953|4|6}}
| birth_place = Helsinki, Finland
| citizenship = {{hlist|Finland|United Kingdom|Israel}}
| education = Tel Aviv University
| occupation = Chairman and CEO, Tamares Group
| years_active = 1990–present
| boards =
| spouse = Anita Zabludowicz
| children = 4
| parents = Pola and Shlomo Zabludowicz
| relatives = Rebecka Belldegrun (sister)
Arie Belldegrun (brother-in-law)
| known_for = Art collection, philanthropy
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
}}
Chaim "Poju" Zabludowicz (born 6 April 1953) is a Finnish-British-Israeli billionaire businessman, art collector and philanthropist.[http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/collection/people "People"], Zabludowicz Collection. Retrieved on 26 June 2013.Midgley, Dominic (5 March 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20140903063118/http://business.highbeam.com/5729/article-1G1-220443643/finn-city-he-friends-madonna-has-vast-collection-modern "FINN CITY..."]. (London). Retrieved 23 June 2013.{{cite news |title=Finnish-born tycoon Poju Zabludowicz met President Niinistö during Olympics visit |url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Finnish-born+tycoon+Poju+Zabludowicz+met+President+Niinist%C3%B6+during+Olympics+visit/1329104537911 |newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat |location=Helsinki |date=1 August 2012 |access-date=26 June 2013 }}
Early life and education
Chaim ("Poju") Zabludowicz was born in Helsinki, Finland, the son of arms industry businessman Shlomo Zabludowicz,{{cite news |last=Miettinen |first=Anssi |date=September 2011 |title=Isänsä poika |newspaper=Helsingin Sanomat Kuukausiliite |pages=25–33 }} who built the family business around Soltam, an Israeli defence contractor.Korin-Lieber, Stella (4 February 2013). [http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000819435&fid=1725 "Pujo Zabludowicz mulls raising stake in El Al parent"]. Globes. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
He was raised in Tampere, where he attended {{Lang|sv|Svenska Samskolan i Tammerfors}}, the Swedish-speaking school in the city. He graduated with a degree in Economics and Political Science from Tel Aviv University.
Personal and family life
He is married to UK-born Anita Zabludowicz,Jury, Louise (18 September 2007). [https://www.standard.co.uk/arts/billionaires-wife-gives-young-artists-a-chance-6648079.html "Billionaire's wife gives young artists a chance"]. The Evening Standard (London). Retrieved 26 June 2013. who, in 2015, was appointed an OBE for her services to the arts.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/30/new-years-honours-2016-the-full-list "New Year's honours 2016: the full list"]. The Guardian (London). 30 December 2015. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
Zabludowicz and his family reside mainly on The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, a street in London referred to as Billionaire's Row, and have homes in Caesarea, Tel Aviv, and Sarvisalo, a small island in Finland. They purchased the house on The Bishops Avenue in 1989, and later purchased the adjacent house in 1997.Mills, T., Miller, D., Griffin, T., & Aked, H. (2013). [https://www.academia.edu/5061190/The_Britain_Israel_Communications_and_Research_Centre_Giving_Peace_a_Chance "The Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre Giving peace a chance?"]. Spinwatch (Glasgow). Retrieved 25 December 2013. The £60 million pair of "his and hers" mansions have an adjoining art gallery.Arnold, Stuart (27 April 2012). [http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9674089.print/ "Newcastle United chairman rises up rich league"]. The Northern Echo. Retrieved 23 June 2013. They also own a 120-ft yacht.Hastings, Sophie (11 July 2011). [https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/esmagazine/anita-zabludowicz-the-exhibitionist-6420093.html "Anita Zabludowicz, the exhibitionist"]. The Evening Standard (London). Retrieved 23 June 2013. In January 2017, it was revealed that Zabludowicz purchased a ₪25 million home in Neve Tzedek, a neighborhood of Tel Aviv.Mirovsky, Arik (10 January 2017). [http://www.themarker.com/realestate/1.3228283 "פויו זבלודוביץ' רכש בית בנווה צדק בתל אביב ב-25 מיליון שקל" (in Hebrew)]. The Marker.. Retrieved 10 January 2017. This purchase was listed as the 11th most expensive real estate deal in Israel in 2016.Tsur, Shlomit (12 March 2017). [http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-top-30-real-estate-deals-in-2016-1001180440 "Israel's top 30 real estate deals in 2016"]. Globes. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
In 2008, Zabludowicz was listed at number 30 in The Jewish Chronicle Top 100, a "list of those who wield the greatest influence on British Jewry."[http://website.thejc.com/home.aspx?AId=59976&ATypeId=1&search=true2&srchstr=Poju%20Zabludowicz&srchtxt=0&srchhead=1&srchauthor=0&srchsandp=0&scsrch=0 "JC Power 100: Sacks stays on top, as new names emerge"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122081820/http://website.thejc.com/home.aspx?AId=59976&ATypeId=1&search=true2&srchstr=Poju%20Zabludowicz&srchtxt=0&srchhead=1&srchauthor=0&srchsandp=0&scsrch=0 |date=22 January 2015 }}. The Jewish Chronicle (London). 8 May 2008. Retrieved on 30 June 2013. In 2014, he was listed at number 75.
In 2015, in its annual ranking of the wealthiest people in Israel, Forbes Israel ranked Zabludowicz 13th with a personal net worth of ₪8.7 billion.[http://www.forbes.co.il/rating/list.aspx?en6v0tVq=HJ "100 העשירים בישראל 2015"] (in Hebrew). Forbes Israel. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2015. He was also ranked 37th on The Estates Gazette Rich List, a comprehensive guide to the wealth of those involved in the UK's property market, compiled by the authors of The Sunday Times Rich List.Pio Kivlehan, Noella & Beresford, Philip (30 October 2015). [http://www.egi.co.uk/news/estates-gazette-rich-list-2015/ "Estates Gazette Rich List 2015"]. Estates Gazette. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
In 2017, Poju and Anita Zabludowicz were ranked the 9th richest couple in Britain.Brinded, Lianna (2 May 2017). [http://www.businessinsider.com/sunday-times-rich-list-2017-richest-couples-in-britain-marriage-2017-5/#9-poju-and-anita-zabludowicz-15-billion-19-billion-the-couple-are-world-famous-art-collectors-with-a-3000-strong-zabludowicz-collection-in-london-poju-mainly-derives-the-familys-wealth-through-property-and-hotels-only-four-years-ago-he-sold-the-familys-british-israel-property-operation-for-484-million-1 "The 9 richest couples in Britain"]. Business Insider. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
The Sunday Times Rich List 2021 of the wealthiest people in the United Kingdom ranked Poju and Anita Zabludowicz 111th with a personal net worth of £1,500 million.[https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-rich-list#TableFullRichList "The Sunday Times Rich List 2021: the top 250"]. The Sunday Times. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
Business career
After graduation, Zabludowicz worked at BFG Bank AG in Frankfurt.[http://www.thejlc.org/author/pzabludowicz/ "Poju Zabludowicz"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029213212/http://www.thejlc.org/author/pzabludowicz/ |date=29 October 2013 }}, The Jewish Leadership Council. Retrieved on 26 June 2013.
In 1978, Zabludowicz was appointed a director of Tamares, the family's holding company, and has headed the company since 1990. Tamares invests in a number of different private[http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-investments-private "Selected Investments (Private)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218223640/http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-investments-private |date=18 February 2013 }}, Tamares. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. and public[http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-investments-listed "Selected Investments (Listed)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218224309/http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-investments-listed |date=18 February 2013 }}, Tamares. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. companies, and in real estate properties.[http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-properties "Selected Properties"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218222927/http://www.tamares.com/portfolio/selected-properties |date=18 February 2013 }}, Tamares. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. The company owns 40% of the land in downtown Las Vegas.[http://www.egi.co.uk/news/article.aspx?id=662493 "EG Rich List 2007 Nos 1–14"]. Estates Gazette. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2013. Today, Tamares Group holds a $3 billion portfolio. Its real estate holdings encompass 2.3 million square feet of office space.[https://www.tamares.com/ "Tamares"]. Tamares. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
In 1993, Zabludowicz set up Ivory Gate, a property investment company based in London. Using offshore vehicles, Ivory Gate made investments in UK commercial property.
In 2006, Zabludowicz established and was the chairman of the advisory board of Auctor Capital Partners, a corporate finance and advisory house for hedge funds. He has been the chairman of the advisory board of Synova Capital[http://www.outotec.com/Global/Investors/Board%20of%20Directors/CV_Zabludowicz.pdf "CV Zabludowicz"], Outotec. Retrieved on 26 June 2013.[https://archive.today/20131209052644/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/committees.asp?privcapId=39437564 "Synova Capital LLP: Board Committees"]. Businessweek. Retrieved 24 December 2013. from 2007 to 2014, a private equity fund specialising in investments in UK growth companies, and Chairman of Tamares Telecom[http://www.tamarestelecom.com/en/directorate "Board of Directors"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503032452/http://www.tamarestelecom.com/en/directorate |date=3 May 2012 }}, Tamares Telecom. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. since 2011, a privately held service provider that operates and markets communications services based on a new internationally deployed fibre-optic network.
Zabludowicz was a director of Mustavaaran Kaivos,[http://www.mustavaarankaivos.com/en/company/board "Board"], Mustavaaran Kaivos. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. a company that owns the mineral rights to the Mustavaara vanadium/iron/titanium deposit in northeastern Finland, and has been a director and member of the Human Capital Committee of Outotec[http://www.outotec.com/en/About-us/Management/Board-of-Directors/ "Board of Directors"], Outotec. Retrieved on 22 July 2015. from March 2012 until March 2017, a company that provides technologies and services for the metal and mineral processing industries. Zabludowicz has also served as a member on a number of boards, including the European Advisory Board of Citigroup, the board of directors of GEMS (an Asia Pacific private equity fund), and Stratos Ventures[https://archive.today/20130628201723/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=36830945&privcapId=34790891 "Poju Zabludowicz"], Businessweek. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. (an early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on information and communication technology sectors).
Zabludowicz is the owner of the Finnish ice hockey team Tappara.[http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Poju+Zabludowicz+once+again+figures+on+British+rich-list/1135256425201 "Poju Zabludowicz once again figures on British rich-list"]. Helsingin Sanomat (Helsinki). 27 April 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
In June 2016, it was announced that ARTA, a fine art shipping startup based in New York, has raised $1 million in capital from a group of institutional and strategic investors, among them Poju and Anita Zabludowicz.[http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2016/06/16/arta-secures-funding-from-art-world-establishment/ "ARTA Secures Funding from Art World Establishment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625010532/http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2016/06/16/arta-secures-funding-from-art-world-establishment/ |date=25 June 2016 }}. Blouin ArtInfo Blogs. 16 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
Activism
= Judaism and Zionist advocacy =
Zabludowicz is the founder and former chairman of BICOM, the Britain Israel Communications and Research Centre, an organisation founded in 2001 which lobbies the UK government on behalf of Israel. He is reported to have given the pressure group more than £2 million in three years.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/04/biscom-israel-lobby-poju-zabludowicz |title=How the pro-Israel lobby in Britain benefits from a generous London tycoon|author=Syal, Rajeeev|newspaper=The Observer|date=4 January 2009|access-date= 29 August 2011}}Oborne, Peter (13 November 2009) [http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/peter-oborne-james-jones/pro-israel-lobby-in-britain-full-text "The pro-Israel lobby in Britain"]. Open Democracy. Retrieved 30 June 2013. He is a benefactor of the UJIA (United Jewish Israel Appeal),[https://ujia.org/support-us/become-a-benefactor/ "Become a Benefactor | UJIA"]. UJIA. Retrieved 20 February 2018. and was a member of the advisory boards of CST (Community Security Trust) and UJIA, and a trustee of Jewish Leadership Council.[http://www.thejlc.org/jewish_leadership_council_proposes_appointment_of_new_trustees "Jewish Leadership Council Proposes Appointment of New Trustees"]. Jewish Leadership Council. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
= Political activism =
Zabludowicz has given donations to David Cameron's leadership campaign and to the Conservative Party.{{cite news |title=The donors and the downfall |first1=Jim |last1=Pickard |first2=Kiran |last2=Stacey |first3=Sam |last3=Jones |first4=Daniel |last4=Schaefer |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/485f1968-f685-11e0-9381-00144feab49a.html#axzz2XkDT0Pu3 |newspaper=Financial Times |date=15 October 2011 |access-date=30 June 2013 }} According to Electoral Commission records, the Tamares Group provided £15,000 for Cameron's leadership campaign in 2005 and has donated £55,000 to Conservative funds in 2006 and 2007,Woolf, Marie, & Ungoed-Thomas, Jon (30 December 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150211014957/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/Test/politics/article77709.ece "Vegas casino billionaire bankrolls the Tories"]. The Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 March 2015. and £131,805 in 2010.[http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/121977/jc-power-100-numbers-100-51 "JC Power 100: Numbers 100 – 51"]. The Jewish Chronicle (London). 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2015. To date, Zabludowicz has donated a total of £380,000 to the Conservative Party.Ross, Jamie (30 December 2015). [https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamieross/these-conservative-party-donors-are-getting-new-year-honours#.pj5WzykWx8 "These Conservative Party Donors Are Getting New Year’s Honours"]. BuzzFeed. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
Backing an election campaign for seats in the European Parliament, he donated €8,000 to Alexander Stubb in 2014.[http://www.karjalainen.fi/uutiset/uutis-alueet/kotimaa/item/50797-wahlroos-ja-zabludowicz-lahjoittivat-tuhansia-euroja-stubbin-eu-vaalikampanjaan "Wahlroos ja Zabludowicz lahjoittivat tuhansia euroja Stubbin EU-vaalikampanjaan " (in Finnish)]. Karjalainen. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
According to The Jewish Chronicle, Zabludowicz hosted secret talks at his London home in March 2011 between Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.{{cite news |url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/53389/middle-east-peace-talks-a-london-kitchen|title= Middle East peace talks in a London kitchen|author= Bright, Martin|newspaper= The Jewish Chronicle|date= 18 August 2011|access-date=18 August 2011}}
=Philanthropy=
The Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases opened in Sheba Medical Center through Poju and Anita Zabludowicz's donations. The center centralises under one roof all aspects of autoimmune research and treatment, and brings together physicians and researchers from multidisciplinary fields such as internal medicine, clinical immunology, autoimmunity, rheumatology, ophthalmology, neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology.[http://www.shebamed.org/n/index.php?id=87 "Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases Dedicated at the Sheba Medical Center"]. Sheba Medical Center. 11 April 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
The Zabludowicz family sponsors exhibitions, art fairs and fundraising events.[http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/collection/philanthropy "Philanthropy"], Zabludowicz Collection. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. In 2014, they donated funds for the planned Helsinki Guggenheim.[http://yle.fi/uutiset/thursdays_papers_oulu_tragedy_adult_education_cuts_and_guggenheim_donations_flow_in/7279840 "Thursday's papers: Oulu tragedy, adult education cuts and Guggenheim donations flow in"]. Yle. 5 June 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
Zabludowicz donated between $100,000–250,000 to the Clinton Foundation.Tapscott, Mark (20 March 2015). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/heres-why-foreign-donors-gave-to-clinton/article/2561761 "We asked Clinton donors why they gave. Here's what they said"]. Washington Examiner. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
Zabludowicz has been a patron of the Finnish British Chamber of Commerce since 2011.
Art collection
Since the 1990s, the Zabludowiczs have been accumulating a 500-artist, 5,000-piece collection of artwork.Halperin, Julia (28 February 2011). [http://www.blouinartinfo.com/features/article/37084-strategies-of-a-supercollector-anita-zabludowicz-on-the-philosophy-behind-her-armory-week-show "Strategies of a Supercollector: Anita Zabludowicz on the Philosophy Behind Her Armory Week Show"]. Louise Blouin Media (New York). Retrieved 23 June 2014.[http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=2c441816-b9d8-44fa-9891-9615252190a7 "Estates Gazette Rich List 2013"]. Estates Gazette (London). Retrieved 23 June 2014.Slenske, Michael (3 February 2011). [http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-opinion/news/2011-03-02/anita-zabludowicz-times-square/ "The Zabludowicz Clan Takes Times Square"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918090207/http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-opinion/news/2011-03-02/anita-zabludowicz-times-square/ |date=18 September 2011 }}. Art in America. Retrieved 26 June 2013. They exhibit their private art collection at three different locations, one of them being 176, a gallery in a former 19th-century Methodist chapel in Chalk Farm, north London.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/artsales/3667975/Art-sales-New-chapter-for-UK-collectors.html |title=Art sales: New chapter for UK collectors | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | first=Colin | last=Gleadell | date=18 September 2007 | access-date=22 May 2010}} Inaugurated in 2007, the Zabludowicz Collection's London project space presents exhibitions of collection works and new commissions by artists linked to the collection.[http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/london "London"], Zabludowicz Collection. Retrieved on 26 June 2013. One sculpture in the collection, a miniature statue of Jesus with an erection, surrounded by 50 other sculptures also with erections, has been considered "grotesquely offensive" by some Christians, one of whom has said she will bring a private prosecution against the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, which has exhibited the statue.{{cite web |url=http://www.mediawatchwatch.org.uk/2008/07/27/private-prosecution-for-jesus-with-a-lob-on/ |title=Private prosecution for Jesus with a lob on|publisher= mediawatchwatch.org.uk
|date= 27 July 2008|access-date= 18 August 2011}}
The skyscraper at 1500 Broadway at Times Square in New York City houses a selection of works from the Zabludowicz Collection. The programme at the New York City venue consists of changing exhibitions and other events while the lobby is publicly open during daytime.[http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/new-york "New York"], Zabludowicz Collection. Retrieved on 26 June 2013.
Across three locations on Sarvisalo, an island in Loviisa, Finland, the Zabludowicz Collection has initiated an international residency programme for invited artists. The residency programme offers an environment for the production of art.[http://www.zabludowiczcollection.com/sarvisalo ""Sarvisalo""], Zabludowicz Collection. Retrieved on 26 June 2013.
In November 2015, it was announced that the Zabludowicz Collection will launch an artist residency programme in Las Vegas.Peterson, Kristen (13 November 2015). [http://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/fine-art/2015/nov/13/zabludowicz-collection-las-vegas-artist-residency/ "Internationally renowned Zabludowicz Collection launches artist residency in Las Vegas"]. Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
=Rankings=
Some art magazines and websites have listed Poju and Anita Zabludowicz in their annual rankings:
- Poju and Anita Zabludowicz appear in ArtReview's Power 100 lists for 2006 to 2014 which assess those most powerful in the art world. In 2014, they were listed at number 97.[http://artreview.com/power_100/anita_poju_zabludowicz/ "Anita & Poju Zabludowicz"]. ArtReview (London). Retrieved 23 December 2013.
- They appear in ARTnews's Top 200 Collectors lists for 2005–2019 which compile the world's most active art buyers.[http://www.artnews.com/top200/anita-and-poju-zabludowicz/ "The Top 200 Collectors "]. ARTnews. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- Larry's List, an online database of art collectors, which ranks collectors according to Internet presence, institutional engagement, art fair participation, communications platforms, and the physical visibility and scale of their collection, has ranked them 3rd in the world.[https://www.larryslist.com/top_art_collector/ "Larry's List – Top Art Collectors"]. Larry's List. Retrieved 17 August 2015.Reyburn, Scott (18 September 2013). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-18/billionaire-broad-tops-art-list-storm-over-ming-sale.html "Billionaire Broad Tops Art List; Storm Over Ming Sale"]. Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
- They appear in ArtLyst's Alt Power 100 lists for 2011–2019 which compile art industry insiders who have made a major contribution to the discipline of contemporary art.[https://www.artlyst.com/news/alt-power-100-2019-artlyst-back-to-basics/ "Alt Power 100 2019 Artlyst – Back To Basics"]. ArtLyst (London). 11 December 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
- They also appear in Artnet's The World's Top 100 Art Collectors[https://news.artnet.com/market/worlds-top-100-art-collectors-part-two-513953 "The artnet News Index: The World’s Top 100 Art Collectors for 2016, Part Two"]. Artnet. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016. lists for 2015–2016 and 100 Most Influential People in the Art World.[https://news.artnet.com/art-world/100-art-world-influencers-part-one-373718 "100 Most Influential People in the Art World: Part One"]. Artnet. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- Anita Zabludowicz appears in Christie's Top 100 Art World Instagrams.[https://www.christies.com/features/Top-100-Art-World-Instagrams-Collectors-8486-1.aspx "100 art-world Instagram accounts to follow right now — Collectors "]. Christie's. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
Zabludowicz has served as the Founder and Trustee of the Zabludowicz Collection since 1994, Council Member of Tate Modern International (since 1999), Member of the board of Kiasma (since 2009), Founding Patron of Camden Arts Centre,[https://www.camdenartscentre.org/support/thank-you "Thank You – Camden Arts Centre"]. Camden Arts Centre. Retrieved 20 February 2018. and co-chairman of British Friends of the Art Museums of Israel (BFAMI).[http://www.bfami.org/about/committee/ "Committee"]. BFAMI. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
Controversy
Zabludowicz was called to the High Court in November 2013 as witness in Scot Young's divorce case.Harper, Tom (14 November 2013). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/david-camerons-billionaire-backer-quizzed-in-court-as-part-of-scot-young-divorce-battle-8940472.html "David Cameron’s billionaire backer quizzed in court as part of Scot Young divorce battle"]. The Independent (London). Retrieved 14 November 2013.
Since 2014, the group Boycott Divest Zabludowicz (BDZ) has been calling on artists and institutions alike to boycott the Zabludowicz Collection. The group accuses Poju Zabludowicz and his wife Anita of "laundering some very dirty money" through their Foundation. "As the public-relations front end for historically one of the largest suppliers of arms to the Israeli state and Chairman of the UK based Pro-Israeli Lobby group Bicom," the statement reads, "the Zabludowicz Foundation represents a direct link between the opportunities for careers in art for young people here in London and the current bombing and ongoing genocidal oppression of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories."{{Cite web|url=https://www.metamute.org/editorial/articles/boycott-zabludowicz-foundation-0|title = Boycott the Zabludowicz Foundation!|date = 12 November 2014}}
In February 2017, it was reported that as part of a corruption investigation against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Police were investigating whether he had received gifts or other benefits from Zabludowicz.Fulbright, Alexander (9 February 2017). [http://www.timesofisrael.com/police-said-to-be-probing-if-british-israeli-billionaire-also-gave-gifts-to-pm/ "Police said to probe if British-Israeli billionaire also gave gifts to PM"]. Times of Israel. Retrieved 10 February 2017. Following that investigation no further action was taken against Zabludowicz.
In 2021, in light of Israel’s recent attacks on Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as well as the continued expulsions of Palestinian people from Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem, BDZ again called for a boycott of the Zabludowicz Art Trust in solidarity with Palestine.{{Cite web|url=https://www.artforum.com/news/hundreds-of-art-workers-urge-boycott-of-zabludowicz-art-trust-in-solidarity-with-palestine-85739|title=Hundreds of Art Workers Urge Boycott of Zabludowicz Art Trust in Solidarity with Palestine|website=www.artforum.com}} In response, Anita and Poju Zabludowicz released a statement acknowledging "the innocent lives lost on both sides" but failed to respond to the accusations, or commit to adjusting for them.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://archive.today/20130628201723/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=36830945&privcapId=34790891 Chaim Zabludowicz on Businessweek]
- [http://www.tamares.com/ Tamares Group]
{{Young British Artists}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zabludowicz, Poju}}
Category:British art collectors
Category:British chief executives
Category:British expatriates in Israel
Category:British people of Polish-Jewish descent
Category:British businesspeople in real estate
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Category:Conservative Party (UK) donors
Category:Finnish art collectors
Category:Finnish chief executives
Category:Finnish emigrants to England
Category:Finnish expatriates in Israel
Category:21st-century Finnish Jews
Category:Finnish people of Israeli descent
Category:Finnish people of Polish-Jewish descent
Category:Jewish art collectors
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