Eddie Kulukundis

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Sir Eddie Kulukundis OBE (born 1932 in London) is a member of a Greek shipping family whose professional career has spanned shipping and the theatre.

The well known philanthropist has donated in excess of £2 Million to British athletics and theatre groups.[1] Kulukundis was made in OBE for services to British sport in 1993, and Knighted for services to British theatre and sport in 1998. He is married to the popular British actress Susan Hampshire

Contents

[edit] Biography

Eddie is a member of the Kulukundis family, a Greek shipping family who had made their home in London. Eddie was born at 26 Warbeck Street, W2 in 1932.

Kulukundis's parents moved to New York when he was eight, and not being much of an active sportsman, Kulukundis became the next best thing: the statistician, the guy who would keep the score and carry the sweaters. He graduated from Salisbury School in 1950, and is an Emeritus Trustee[2]

[edit] Shipping

The family had formed shipping company London and Overseas Freighters. Eddie learnt his trade in the shipping industry on tramp steamers: small freighters who plied their trade around the Mediterranean working where the loads were required to be shipped from/to. After the death of his uncle John Kulukundis in September 1978, Eddie joined the board of London Overseas Freighters.[3] However, in light of mounting losses, after the company had sold all but two of its ships and all shore side assets, Eddie resigned on 11 December 1985. He rejoined the board of the much reduced company in 1988 post the death of company president Manuel Kulukundis, and the resultant death of his nephew, Minas Kulukundis,in the Lockerbie disaster while flying to attend his uncle/godfather's funeral (Captain Nicholas Kulukundis).[4] On 1 November 1997 London and Overseas Freighters was sold to Frontline Freighters AB of Sweden, and Eddie resigned form the board. He still holds positions with family company Company Rethymnis and Kulukundis Ltd, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1998.

[edit] Theatre

A theatre impresario, Kulukundis started producing plays while resident in the United States. He co-produced the 1976 Tony award winning play Travesties by Tom Stoppard.[citation needed] Kulukundis later formed Knightsbridge Productions, with theatre artist/educator Jack Lynn.

In 1993, Kulukundis was part of a consortium which took over the struggling Duke of York's Theatre on St Martin's Lane.[5] The consortium became the Ambassador Theatre Group, of which Kulukundis is presently Chairman and a major share holder.[6]

[edit] Athletics

Kulukundis has given more than £2 million to British athletes over the last 25 years,[7] including Steve Ovett, Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell, Roger Black, and Denise Lewis. Currently it is estimated that Kulukundis supports about 60 to 70 athletes.

The philanthropy started when he returned to the UK, and a chance meeting with David Hemery. Through Harry Wilson, Steve Ovett's coach, Kulukundis received the names of several athletes who needed help. Every deal is recorded by his secretary because, theoretically, each one is only a loan. Among athletes Kulukundis has supported are:

In November 1998 Kulukundis was beaten by former Olympic champion David Hemery to become the first elected president of UK Athletics.[14] Kulukundis is currently: chairman of the London Coaching Foundation; the Midland Coaching Foundation and Athletes Youth Performance; vice-president of UK Athletics; chairman of the British Athletic Field Event Charitable Trust; chairman and patron of the Belgrave Harriers athletics club[15]

[edit] Personal life

Kulukundis married actress Susan Hampshire in 1981. They celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary at Raymond Blanc's Oxfordshire restaurant "Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons".[16]

[edit] Quotations

  • "My luck, is that my parents were very wealthy."
  • "If you don't run a business with one eye open for the costs, it's a disaster. So I have to say I'm a very poor businessman."

[edit] References

  1. ^ LOF-News: Kulukundis Family
  2. ^ http://www.salisburyschool.org/about_us.asp?groupid=292
  3. ^ http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/lof2.html
  4. ^ http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/lof2.html
  5. ^ Impresario who never recovered from being stage-struck
  6. ^ The Ambassador Theatre Group: About Us: Introduction
  7. ^ Where Do You Find Sponsors?
  8. ^ London Guardian, 22 May 1998
  9. ^ Athletics: Interview Sir Eddie Kulukundis - Gifts from Sir with love | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  10. ^ Athletics: Interview Sir Eddie Kulukundis - Gifts from Sir with love | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  11. ^ Athletics: Kulukundis funds French trip | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  12. ^ Athletics: Interview Sir Eddie Kulukundis - Gifts from Sir with love | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  13. ^ Athletics: Kulukundis funds French trip | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  14. ^ BBC News | Sport | Hemery earns leading role
  15. ^ Athletics: Interview Sir Eddie Kulukundis - Gifts from Sir with love | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  16. ^ Guardian Unlimited | Comment is free | JK Rowling is right about skinny models - but nothing will change while men still run the fashion world

[edit] External links