Javad Marandi OBE is a British entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor with over 25 years of experience in business, both nationally and internationally.
Javad’s investment portfolio consists of a varied set of assets across retail, real estate, hospitality and construction including: a number of residential developments throughout the UK and premium British brands such as Emilia Wickstead, Anya Hindmarch, The Conran Shop and Wed2B, the UK wedding apparel retailer. Javad’s portfolio also includes several hotels and restaurants around the UK, including Soho Farmhouse, located in Oxfordshire, and a number of commercial real estate properties throughout Europe.
In 2017, Javad co-founded The Marandi Foundation with his wife, Narmina. The foundation supports disadvantaged children, families and communities as well as art and cultural initiatives in the UK. It is the core funder of The Royal Foundation for TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle. The foundation is also the founder and sole funder of The Watercolour World, where HRH The...Javad Marandi OBE is a British entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor with over 25 years of experience in business, both nationally and internationally.
Javad’s investment portfolio consists of a varied set of assets across retail, real estate, hospitality and construction including: a number of residential developments throughout the UK and premium British brands such as Emilia Wickstead, Anya Hindmarch, The Conran Shop and Wed2B, the UK wedding apparel retailer. Javad’s portfolio also includes several hotels and restaurants around the UK, including Soho Farmhouse, located in Oxfordshire, and a number of commercial real estate properties throughout Europe.
In 2017, Javad co-founded The Marandi Foundation with his wife, Narmina. The foundation supports disadvantaged children, families and communities as well as art and cultural initiatives in the UK. It is the core funder of The Royal Foundation for TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle. The foundation is also the founder and sole funder of The Watercolour World, where HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall are joint patrons. Javad is Co-Chair of the Growth Board of homelessness charity, Centrepoint and Narmina is Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council Foundation and the Serpentine Cultural Committee. In 2021, the foundation sponsored the inaugural ‘The Conran Shop and Marandi Foundation Award for Designer of the Future’ at the prestigious New Designers Awards.
Born in Tehran, Javad came to Britain as a child and grew up in London. He has a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Cardiff University and is a chartered accountant. Prior to his solo career, he worked for PwC, Coca-Cola International and Philip Morris International. He was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List for services to business and philanthropy.moreless
Alitas Group is a high-end investment portfolio encompassing art, real estate, strategic land regeneration projects, hotels and restaurants.
FMCG Distribution Companies
Shareholder
Sep 1998 - Present
Baku, AZ
Javad is an investor and shareholder in several Azerbaijan FMCG distribution companies. His companies are exclusive distributors of British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and several other large corporations.
McDonald's is a global fast-food franchise that operates in over 100 countries with more than 36,000 restaurants worldwide, employing over one million people globally. Javad is the Master Franchisor of McDonald's in Azerbaijan.
Nema Strategic Land was founded with the goal of investing in and advancing strategic land and mixed-use regeneration opportunities around Greater London and the United Kingdom.
Philip Morris International
Strategic Planning & Area Manager for Emerging Markets
Oct 1993 - Dec 1998
Lausanne, CH
Philip Morris International is a leading global tobacco company, researching and developing cigarettes, electronic smoking devices and accessories.
Javad is the Co-Chair of The Marandi Foundation, which he founded in 2017 with his wife. The foundation provides disadvantaged young people with access to education and wellbeing and mental health support services. The foundation also focuses on funding public art institutions and major cultural initiatives while also showing support for young, talented designers.
One of the UK's leading charitable organisations combatting homelessness among the youth. Centrepoint successfully houses and finds employment for the UK's youth on a daily basis.
The Watercolour World is a digital platform aiming to take works of art from across the UK and around the world and house them for easy access and education on historical works of art.
The Marandi Foundation supports the work of The Royal Foundation. The Royal Foundation is aligned with the work of the Marandi Foundation and together, they seek to empower the youth of the UK.
Javad reflects on his journey from immigrant child to global entrepreneur as he describes the triumphs of his success and his resilient business drive.
Javad is mentioned in an article by International Business Times regarding The Conran Shop's dedication to furthering their commitment of using environmentally friendly and alternative materials which will benefit both consumers and the planet.
Javad Marandi's wife, Narmina Marandi is featured in this British Fashion Council article regarding her appointment as Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council (BFC) Foundation. Her role is to draw together an International Advisory Committee which will support the foundation as well as the development of its Patronage Programme.
Javad Marandi discusses his latest mission as the new Co-Chair of Centrepoint's Growth Board. The project will give the most vulnerable young people the ability to build sustainable careers without the worry of market housing costs.
Javad discusses the cost of living crisis and the Centrepoint Independent Living Programme, which is aimed at alleviating the crisis in this article for The Telegraph. Javad explains this ground-breaking scheme which offers inexpensive accommodation for young people who are employed or enrolled in an apprenticeship.
In an article written for The Telegraph, Javad argues that other business leaders need to start recognising the fact that Britain's low-wage and low-status model is not working.
Javad encourages the British business community to help struggling businesses in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the country’s future economic health.
Javad was awarded an OBE, Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for his services to Business and Philanthropy in HM The Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2020.
