Jack Dellal
Jack Dellal | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 October 1923 Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England |
| Died | 28 October 2012 (aged 89) |
| Occupation(s) | Real estate investor, businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Allied Commercial Holdings, major property investments in London |
Jack Dellal (2 October 1923 – 28 October 2012) was a prominent British real estate investor, often referred to by the moniker "Black Jack." His enterprise, Allied Commercial Holdings, played a key role in financing the acquisition of Shell Mex House in 2002, which was later divested in 2007. With an estimated fortune of £4.6 billion, he ranked among the wealthiest individuals in England during his lifetime.
Early life
Dellal was born in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, to parents of Iraqi Jewish descent with Sephardic roots: Sulman Dellal, who worked as a textile importer, and Charlotte Shashoua. He received his education at Heaton Moor College located in Stockport and started assisting his father in the family cloth business at the age of 14.
Career
During the 1970s, Dellal entered the banking industry and owned Dalton Barton, a London fringe bank, which he sold for £58 million to Keyser Ullman. In 1974, he partnered with Stanley Van Gelder to establish Allied Commercial, maintaining their business relationship for over four decades. Among their notable transactions was the acquisition and subsequent sale of Bush House in central London in 2004, yielding £75 million within two years. Additionally, Dellal committed investments up to £200 million into London's Dolphin Square property complex.
Known by the nickname "Black Jack" due to his reputed enthusiasm for gambling, Dellal was a significant figure within London's property investment and banking arenas.
Personal life
Across two marriages and at least one extended partnership, Dellal fathered nine children, including film directors Gaby and Jasmine Dellal. His granddaughters include Alice Dellal, Domino Kirke, Lola Kirke, Jemima Kirke, and Charlotte Olympia.
In 1989, Dellal established the Suzanne Dellal Centre for Dance and Theatre in Tel Aviv as a tribute to his daughter Suzanne.
Death
Dellal passed away peacefully in his sleep in London on 28 October 2012 at the age of 89.