The founder of one of the UK’s biggest residential and property development firms, David Goldstone CBE, has died at the age of 91 in Morriston Hospital, Swansea where he was being treated for Covid-19.
Having celebrated his 91st birthday in February this year, Goldstone had recently moved back to Swansea to live with his daughter Karen. Born to an Orthodox Jewish family in a terraced street in Swansea, he was evacuated to Carmarthenshire during the Second World War, before returning to the city and later moving to London in the post-war years. .
Honoured with a CBE in 2010, Goldstone qualified as a solicitor in 1955, having studied at the London School of Economics ,and in later years he was a Fellow and Emeritus Governor of LSE.
Following his move to London he embarked on a long career as a property developer, most notably as chairman and chief executive of Regalian Properties Plc from 1970 – 2001. He was heavily involved in the regeneration of Battersea Village and developed the landmark MI6 building at Vauxhall Cross, overlooking the River Thames. Another landmark property transaction was the purchase of Land’s End and subsequent £7 million sale to Peter de Savary in 1987.
In 2003 Goldstone chaired the famous Coram Charity in London, first established in 1739 by Thomas Coram as The Foundling Hospital. Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity, having supported vulnerable children for 280 years. Following his tenure as chair he became an honorary vice president. Goldstone was on the Council of the Royal Albert Hall and chaired the fabric committee where he advised on building works and refurbishment.
Keenly involved with sports, Goldstone was the only person to have chaired both Swansea City and Cardiff City football clubs. He was also vice chair of London Welsh RFC. In later years, he acted as special adviser to the Welsh Rugby Union, working with then chief executive Roger Lewis. He was also a sponsor of the Swansea and Gower Festivals. `
In business he was best known for founding and running Regalian Properties, a residential and commercial property development firm which he took to the London Stock Exchange, initially backed by merchant bankers. He set up the business in 1970 and was at the helm before it was acquired in 2001 following an at-first hostile takeover bid. The company developed the large office construction at Vauxhall Cross on the Thames which is now home to MI6 and has featured in several James Bond films.
For some years David acted as adviser to the Welsh Government, working with Edwina Hart during her term as both Health Minister and Economy Minister. During this time David also advised the Wales Millennium Centre and the board of Cardiff Airport. In her tribute, Edwina Hart said: “David enjoyed a long and highly successful career in business and combined this with an interest in and passion for the arts, charity and sports. His advice to me as a minister was invaluable and he will be sorely missed by many as a friend.”
David is survived by his wife Cynthia who is in a care home in Swansea, their three children, Lee, Debra and Karen, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren
David Goldstone CBE: born February 21, 1929. Died October 22, 2020
