Early Life
Joe Lewis was born to a Jewish family in London, England, on February 5, 1937. He left school at 15 to help run his father's West End catering business, Tavistock Banqueting. He expanded the business, selling luxury goods to American tourists. He later sold the business in 1979.
Rise to Success
After selling the family business, Lewis moved into currency trading in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a tax exile in the Bahamas. In September 1992, Lewis bet on the pound crashing out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, an event dubbed Black Wednesday. He is the main investor in Tavistock Group, which owns over 200 companies in 15 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Lewis is known for his investments in various sectors, including real estate, sports, luxury hotels, and biotechnology. Through his Tavistock Group, he has diversified his portfolio. He made a significant investment in Bear Stearns in 2007. Lewis's company, ENIC Group, owned Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.
Philanthropy
Lewis has contributed significantly to the development of Lake Nona Medical City. The Tavistock Foundation supports initiatives in education and medical innovation.
