Idan Ofer
Idan Ofer | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1955 Haifa, Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Known for | Founder of Quantum Pacific Group; majority stakeholder in Israel Corporation and Kenon Holdings; owner of stakes in Atlético Madrid and Famalicão football clubs |
Idan Ofer (; born 2 October 1955) is an Israeli billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist with diverse holdings in shipping, energy, mining, and sports sectors. He established Quantum Pacific Group, a holding entity, and holds a majority stake in the Israel Corporation, which is publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, as well as in Kenon Holdings, listed on both the Tel Aviv and New York Stock Exchange. Additionally, he owns the Israeli investment firm Lynav Holdings and the Netherlands-based Ansonia Holdings.
Ofer possesses a 33% ownership interest in Spain's La Liga football team Atlético Madrid and controls 85% of Portugal's Primeira Liga club Famalicão.
As of February 2025, Forbes valued his net worth at approximately US$17.7 billion. In the Sunday Times Rich List 2025, he was placed fifth among the wealthiest individuals in the United Kingdom, with an estimated fortune of £20.121 billion.
Early life
Idan Ofer is the son of Israeli billionaire Sammy Ofer and Aviva Ofer. His father, originally from Romania, was a prominent shipping tycoon who immigrated to Israel. His elder brother is businessman Eyal Ofer, and his uncle is Yuli Ofer.
Raised in Haifa, Israel, within an Ashkenazi Jewish family of Romanian descent, Ofer served as deputy commander aboard a patrol boat in the Israeli Navy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Shipping from the University of Haifa and earned an MBA from the London Business School during the 1980s.
Ofer has been married four times; his current spouse, Batia Ofer, is known for her art collection and philanthropic efforts. Together, they have five children. Until 2013, the family resided in Arsuf near Tel Aviv. His daughter Leigh lives in New York City, while his other children are based in London.
Business career
Ofer’s early career involved expanding his family's shipping operations throughout Hong Kong during the 1980s, followed by professional engagements in Singapore and the United States. He is the principal figure behind Quantum Pacific Group, headquartered in Guernsey, and has controlling interests in Israel Corporation—one of the largest publicly traded holdings on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. He chaired Israel Corporation from 1999 until 2010 and remained a board member until 2013. Furthermore, he has contributed to advisory boards such as Synergy Ventures and Aspect Enterprise Solutions and was an investor in Better Place, an electric vehicle company that ceased operations in 2013.
In 2014, Ofer launched Kenon Holdings as a spin-off from Israel Ships Corporation, focusing on automotive and energy sectors with growth potential. Kenon inherited several assets from Israel Corporation including Qoros—a joint venture with Chery Automobile aimed at young international consumers in China—alongside Zim Integrated Shipping Services and IC Power. The portfolio also features Inkia Energy, a Peruvian subsidiary under IC Power.
He has participated on advisory councils like the Council on Foreign Relations and the Dean’s Council at Harvard Kennedy School. Together with Richard Branson and others, he co-founded the Carbon War Room, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to climate change solutions. The Financial Times characterized him as "a Tel Aviv liberal akin to traditional Israeli Labour party figures."
Following his father’s passing in 2011, Ofer inherited half of his father's wealth and art collection, becoming Israel’s wealthiest individual by 2013 with Forbes estimating his net worth at $13.9 billion.
In March 2022, Israel Corporation sold 20.17 million shares at $10.90 each, generating $220 million. By February 2023, Israel Corporation completed its divestment of all shares in Oil Refineries to David Federmann as part of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions but maintained holdings in Israel Chemicals.
In October 2023, he resigned from Harvard Kennedy School’s Dean’s executive board due to dissatisfaction with the institution’s response to Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, expressing a loss of confidence in its leadership.
As of March 2024, Forbes ranked him #120 among The Richest People In The World with a net worth estimated at $15.8 billion.
Sports
In 2018, Ofer, via Quantum Pacific Group, purchased a majority 51% share in the Portuguese second division football team Famalicão, which he subsequently increased to 85% ownership in 2019. That same year, Famalicão achieved promotion to Portugal's premier football league, the Primeira Liga. Additionally, Ofer owns a one-third stake in the Spanish La Liga club Atlético Madrid.
Controversies
Ofer has been subject to criticism within Israel concerning environmental issues attributed to his chemical manufacturing plants as well as for his extravagant lifestyle. Environmental authorities have repeatedly issued violations and cautions related to his industrial activities. In 2014, accusations emerged alleging that one of his companies employed intelligence services; however, these claims were never definitively substantiated. After divesting from Oil Refineries, Ofer continues to be linked with a company that was designated as high risk in the 2021 report by Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Philanthropy
In 2013, Ofer made a significant gift of £25 million to the London Business School, his former educational institution, through the Idan and Batia Ofer Foundation. This major private contribution facilitated the establishment of the Sammy Ofer Centre in 2017, named to honor his father.
Together with his wife Batia, Ofer supported the Jewish Museum London in 2017. In 2021, they initiated a maritime scholarship program based in Singapore that annually awards up to ten full scholarships aimed at nurturing talent within the maritime sector. That year, through his foundation, Ofer also donated $15 million to support the Israeli National Library.