Octav Botnar

Octav Botnar
Born	Oswald Bundorf Template:Birth date Chernivtsi, Austria-Hungary
Died	July 11, 1998(1998-07-11) (aged 84) Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, philanthropist
Known for	Founder of Datsun UK (later Nissan UK), philanthropy including Camelia Botnar Foundation

Octav Botnar (originally named Oswald Bundorf; October 21, 1913 – July 11, 1998) was an entrepreneur who established Datsun UK, which later became Nissan UK, along with its affiliated automotive retail enterprise Automotive Financial Group (AFG). He was also recognized for his significant contributions to philanthropy.

Early life

Born in Chernivtsi, then known as Czernowitz within Austria-Hungary, Botnar witnessed the city's transition to Cernăuți under Romania after the empire dissolved in 1918; today, it lies within Ukraine. Between 1932 and 1936, Romanian authorities detained him due to his involvement in communist activities. Subsequently, he participated in the Spanish Civil War, joined the French Resistance, and actively resisted Nazi forces during World War II. Upon returning to Romania in 1946, he secured a position at the Chamber of Commerce. In 1951, he wed Marcela Perian, and their daughter Camelia was born the next year.

In 1960, Botnar was among Jewish personnel dismissed from Romania's Ministry of Foreign Trade and was imprisoned from 1961 until 1965. After his release, he emigrated to Israel in 1966 and entered the cement sector. Later, he relocated to Germany where he served as a director at NSU, a company eventually absorbed by Volkswagen. Settling later in Worthing, England, Botnar founded Datsun UK (now Nissan UK) in 1970.

Datsun and Nissan UK

Initially managing the UK import operations for German automaker NSU, Botnar shifted focus after NSU’s acquisition by Volkswagen in 1969. He secured the UK franchise rights for Nissan and its Datsun vehicles. Under his guidance, Datsun rose to become one of the leading imported car brands in Britain, outperforming competitors such as Toyota to become the top foreign marque. At its height, Botnar controlled more than 200 Nissan dealerships across the country and ranked among the wealthiest individuals in Britain.

Philanthropy

Following the tragic death of his only daughter, Camelia Botnar, who died in a car accident near Stonehenge at age 20 in 1972, Botnar committed millions to charitable causes—an act that contrasted with his tough business image. One notable donation included £13 million to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He also established the Camelia Botnar Foundation to honor her memory. Based in West Sussex, this foundation continues its mission by offering residential training programs and work placements designed to equip young people with vocational skills and career opportunities. In 2017, OMC Investments—a real estate firm founded by Botnar—acquired Salbek Castle located in Petriș, Arad County, to further support the foundation’s initiatives; this castle, built in 1811, features architectural inspiration drawn from the design of the White House.

Tax controversy

In June 1991, the Inland Revenue conducted raids on Nissan UK's headquarters, Botnar’s residence, and those of other executives amid allegations of evading taxes exceeding £200 million. The investigation uncovered a scheme involving a third-party shipping agent that overcharged Nissan UK for vehicle shipments from Japan, thereby artificially reducing reported profits and minimizing corporation tax obligations. Subsequently, Botnar relocated to Switzerland, residing in Villars-sur-Ollon. Due to disagreements over his aggressive business tactics clashing with corporate values, Nissan ceased supplying vehicles to Botnar’s companies.

After Nissan decided to bring UK distribution operations in-house in 1991, both Nissan UK and AFG experienced decline. Although Botnar consistently denied any misconduct until his passing, he ultimately agreed to a £59 million settlement to resolve the dispute. Following this settlement, he initiated legal action against the Inland Revenue alleging malicious prosecution and seeking damages; stating: "The damages I am seeking are only token, but I want to clear my name. I want my day in court."

Death

During his later years, Botnar lived in Switzerland as a tax exile, involved in legal conflicts with the British Inland Revenue. He passed away on 11 July 1998 at the age of 84 due to stomach cancer. His final resting place is Passy Cemetery in Paris. Lord Parkinson, the chairman of the Tory party, honored him as "truly one of our greatest philanthropists."