Mahmoud Khayami
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| Mahmoud Khayami | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930 Mashhad, Iran |
| Occupation | Businessman, Philanthropist |
| Spouse | Zahra Khayami |
Mahmoud Khayami, KSS, (born 1930 in Mashhad, Iran) (Persian: محمود خيامی) is a well-known Iranian industrialist, perhaps best remembered for his role in establishment of Iran National automobile manufacturing and the introduction of the iconic Paykan car to Iran. He is also known for starting the Kourosh Department Stores: the first large retail chain stores of Iran, not unlike their American counterparts Sears and K-Mart.
Iran National (Now Iran Khodro) was founded with registered capital of 100,000,000 Rls. on 18 Aug 1962 by Mr. Aliakbar Khayami, Mr. Ahmad Khayami, Mr. Mahmoud Khayami, Mrs. Marzieh Khayami, and Mrs. Zahra Seyedi Rashti in Ekbatan Street in Tehran.
In later life, Mahmoud Khayami has become known equally as a philanthropist and collector of fine Persian art, the Khayami Collection being generally recognised as one of the finest in the world. Mr Khayami is well known for his promotion of inter-religious cohabitation in the UK and internationally with a special emphasis on relations between the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities. Among his activities have been the hosting at the RIIA of inter-religious conferences.
He now splits his time between the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, having been forced to leave Iran at the time of the 1979 revolution. Khayami is a French national. His philanthropic work (now performed largely through the Khayami Foundation) was recognised in 2004 when he was invested as a Knight of the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester by Pope John Paul II and in 2006 was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by The Duke of Castro.
It was announced by the Department of Education and Skills in 2005 that Mr Khayami had become a sponsor of the UK Government's City Academy programme and had sponsored two academies which will open in Sheffield during 2007. Both academies will be run by a leading Anglican Church School Trust.
The family is still involved in the automotive industry, primarily in dealership ownership of one of their previous international partners Mercedes-Benz, most notably in Southern California where they operate Caliber Motors in the city of Anaheim, Orange County.
[edit] External links
- The Khayami Foundation
- Encyclopaedia Iranica Gala 2003
- Iran Khodro Web Site
- Caliber Motors, Anaheim, California
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Khayami, Mahmoud |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Iranian industrialist and philanthropist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1930 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Mashad, Iran |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
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