Leonard Blavatnik is one of the richest men in Britain but is also a well-known philanthropist.
The Ukrainian-born American has an estimated net worth of $18.5 billion. Although Blavatnik is known for his donations, the philanthropist carefully chooses his beneficiaries. Often beneficiaries will include universities that have clear plans and progress reports on how his funding is used.
Blavatnik came from a Jewish family and was born in 1957 in Russia. He immigrated to America in 1978 and completed a Masters in computer science from Columbia University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
The industrialist then founded Access Industries in 1986, which was an International conglomerate with strategic investments in the US and Europe. The company’s success was due to strategic, timely investments in post-Soviet aluminum and energy companies.
He then moved into chemicals by owning a stake in LyondellBasell Industries, which is one of the world’s leading chemical companies. He broadened his reach by investing in the Warner Music Group, which has now signed on many upcoming artists.
Blavatnik soon created the Blavatnik Foundation, which supports many cultural, art and academic institutions.
The foundation has since supported the British Museum, Tate Modern, the Prince’s Trust, the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Art.
Apart from this, the foundation has created the Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists which assist scientist with promising inventions.
Written by Access Industries. Len Blavatnik is a philanthropist who owns the international conglomerate and who also runs the Blavatnik Foundation.