Israel Arnold ZiffOBE (31 January 1927 – 14 July 2004) was a British businessman andphilanthropist, who particularly donated to good causes withinLeeds,West Yorkshire. He was made aFreeman of the City of London in 1979 and received anOBE in 1981.[1] From 1991 to 1992 he wasHigh Sheriff of West Yorkshire.[2]
Ziff's family was of Russian origin. He was born 31 January 1927 in Leeds[3] and attended bothRoundhay School andLeeds University, where he studied economics, but did not complete the degree, being called up fornational service.[4] He inherited his father's shoe companyStylo, and formed property company Town Centre Securities in 1959.[5] A notable development was theMerrion Centre, Leeds.
In 1952 he married[3]Marjorie Esther Morrison (born 26 May 1929[6]). They had 2 sons, Michael (born 1953) and Edward (born 1960) who continued his business, asCEOs of Stylo andTown Centre Securities respectively.[5] Arnold and Marjorie also had a daughter, Ann Louise
Arnold's wife,Marjorie Ziff received anMBE in the2011 New Year Honours for services to the community inLeeds.[7]
Ziff was a major sponsor ofTropical 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 formally opened in 2009.[4][6] He gave to Jewish welfare organizations, and is commemorated in the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre inMoortown, Leeds.[8] He was also a patron of the arts, and had a collection including items from his friend,Rowland Emett.[3]
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