Raymond Ackerman GCOB (10 March 1931 – 6 September 2023) was a South African businessman, who purchased the Pick 'n Pay supermarket group from its founder. He purchased four stores from Jack Goldin in the 1960s. Raymond Ackerman was chairman until he stepped down in 2010.
Biography
He was born in Cape Town in 1931, the son of the Ackerman's clothing group founder, Gus Ackerman, and was educated at Bishops Diocesan College. After graduating from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Commerce, he joined the Greatermans group in the Ackermans division in 1951 at the age of 20 as a trainee manager. Ackermans had been founded just after World War I by his father Gus, but was sold to the Greatermans group in 1940.
Ackerman was eventually offered a position at Greatermans head office in Johannesburg. In the early 1950s, food retailing supermarkets first began to appear on the scene in South Africa. Norman Herber, chairman of Greatermans decided to start a food retailer called Checkers. Ackerman was eventually put in charge of Checkers, making a resounding success of the business.
Ackerman won the Outstanding Young South African award in 1965, along with Gary Player and by 1966, at the age of 35, he was the managing director of 85 Checkers stores; however, he was fired in the same year. In response, using his severance pay and a bank loan, Ackerman bought four stores in Cape Town trading under the name Pick 'n Pay.
Philanthropy
The Ackerman family's support for the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital dates to Gus's involvement in funding its establishment in 1956. In 2006, the Ackermans donated R4 million to the hospital. Pick 'n Pay was very involved with Cape Town's bid to bring the 2004 Summer Olympics to South Africa. On 14 February 2005, the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development opened in Cape Town to develop business skills and train future managers and leaders for South Africa.
Personal life
He married his wife Wendy with whom he had four children, Suzanne, Kathryn, Jonathan, and Gareth. His wife and children are also involved in Pick n Pay, working for the retailer or its charity.
Death
Raymond Ackerman died on 6 September 2023, at the age of 92. His death was announced that same day by the managing director of the Katale Partnership, Nicky Bicket. His synagogue released a statement; “Temple Israel mourns the passing of our beloved member and patron. His and Wendy’s mark is found all over South Africa in the staff trained, organisations started, charities supported, and businesses incubated. No less in the Jewish community, where their concerns have always been around education, inspiration, and inclusivity.” The service featured performances by the Herzlia School choir and readings of Jewish prayers by a chaplain. At the time of Ackerman's death, more than 50 years after he founded Pick n Pay, the company had expanded to more than 2,000 stores across South Africa. The ceremony included speeches from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, and Ackerman was honoured among other business figures such as Donald Gordon, Sol Kerzner and Barney Barnato.
Books
Raymond Ackerman published three books on his experiences and with advice for young entrepreneurs.
1) Ackerman, Raymond: Hearing Grasshoppers Jump. The story of Raymond Ackerman as told to Denise Prichard. Cape Town: David Philip, 2004.
2) Ackerman, Raymond: The Four Legs of the Table. Raymond Ackerman's simple, straight-forward formula for success as told to Denise Prichard. Cape Town: David Philip, 2005.
3) Ackerman, Raymond: A Sprat to Catch a Mackerel. Key Principles to build your business. Cape Town: Jonathan Ball, 2010.
Bibliography
- Gerber, Amelda: "Entrepreneurs kry nuwe leerskool. Raymond Ackerman verskaf geld om sentrum by sakeskool te vestig." Die Burger, 15 February 2005.
- Die Burger, 9 March 2006.
- La Vita, Murray: "Mister A. moet nou groet." Die Burger, 12 March 2010.