Javad Marandi
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
Master Franchisor
London, GB
Profile Verified by The Marque
Last Updated: 22 Sep 2026
THE MARQUE
In Their Own Right
Biography
Javad Marandi OBE is a British entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor with over 25 years of experience in business, both nationally and internationally.
Javad’s investment portfolio consists of a varied set of assets across retail, real estate, hospitality and construction including a number of residential developments throughout the UK and premium British brands such as Emilia Wickstead, Anya Hindmarch, The Conran Shop and Wed2B, the UK wedding apparel retailer. Javad’s portfolio also includes several hotels and restaurants around the UK, including Soho Farmhouse, located in Oxfordshire, and a number of commercial real estate properties throughout Europe.
In 2017, Javad co-founded The Marandi Foundation with his wife, Narmina. The foundation supports disadvantaged children, families and communities as well as art and cultural initiatives in the UK. It is the core funder of The Royal Foundation for TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, their primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle. The foundation is also the founder and sole funder of The Watercolour World, where HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall are joint patrons. Javad is Co-Chair of the Growth Board of homelessness charity, Centrepoint and Narmina is Co-Chair of the British Fashion Council Foundation and the Serpentine Cultural Committee. In 2021, the foundation sponsored the inaugural ‘The Conran Shop and Marandi Foundation Award for Designer of the Future’ at the prestigious New Designers Awards.
Born in Tehran, Javad came to Britain as a child and grew up in London. He has a BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Cardiff University and is a chartered accountant. Prior to his solo career, he worked for PwC, Coca-Cola International and Philip Morris International. He was awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours List for services to business and philanthropy.
The Record
Background
-
2004 — Present
Master Franchisor
McDonald's
McDonald's is a global fast-food franchise that operates in over 100 countries with more than 36,000 restaurants worldwide, employing over one million people globally. Javad is the Master Franchisor of McDonald's in Azerbaijan.
-
1998 — Present
Investment Portfolio | Entrepreneur & Investor
Alitas Group
Alitas Group is a high-end investment portfolio encompassing art, real estate, strategic land regeneration projects, hotels and restaurants.
-
1998 — Present
Shareholder
FMCG Distribution Companies
Javad is an investor and shareholder in several Azerbaijan FMCG distribution companies. His companies are exclusive distributors of British American Tobacco, Imperial Tobacco, Japan Tobacco and several other large corporations.
-
1988 — 1991
Chartered Accountant
Coopers & Lybrand
Coopers & Lybrand was an accountancy firm that became what is now known as PricewaterhouseCoopers when it merged with Price Waterhouse in 1998.
-
1991 — 1993
Business Development Manager
Coca-Cola, Eurasia & Africa Group
The Coca-Cola Company is a global food and beverages organisation with a footprint in more than 200 countries.
-
1993 — 1998
Strategic Planning & Area Manager for Emerging Markets
Philip Morris International
Philip Morris International is a leading global tobacco company, researching and developing cigarettes, electronic smoking devices and accessories.
-
2020 — 2022
Chairman
Nema Strategic Land
Nema Strategic Land was founded with the goal of investing in and advancing strategic land and mixed-use regeneration opportunities around Greater London and the United Kingdom.
Formative Years
Education
-
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales
Chartered Accountant
1988 — 1991
-
Cardiff University
BSc, Electrical and Electronic Engineering
1985 — 1988
Areas Of Focus