Sir Emmanuel Kaye (29 November 1914 – 28 February 1999) was a British industrialist and philanthropist associated with Lansing Bagnall, an electric forklift manufacturer, and with the Kaye Organisation.
Early life and background Kaye was born in Russia, the son of wheat merchant Zelman Kagarlisky (1877/1878–1926; his name was also spelled "Zalman Kagarlitzky") and his wife, Chassia Annie (1885/6–1943), a botanist. The family came to England when he was young, settling in London. Emmanuel was educated at Richmond Hill School, leaving to work for a small engineering firm at the age of 15. In 1934, his mother changed the family name to "Kaye".24 November 1953, The London Gazette. Accessed 28 January 2023.
Career
In 1940, Kaye founded J. E. Shay Ltd., described as precision gauge tool and instrument makers. In 1943, he took over Lansing Bagnall, a maker of electric forklift trucks and related equipment.
Kaye later served as founder and chairman of the Kaye Organisation, described as a group with allied companies in Switzerland and Germany, and he chaired Lansing Bagnall and other associated companies. A 1996 Independent report described him as a multi-millionaire, award-winning industrialist and a former leading figure in the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
He was a donor to Tony Blair's Labour Leader's Office Fund before the 1997 General Election. Kaye was associated with the Labour Friends of Israel.
Philanthropy The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales (charity number 280281).
Among major beneficiaries of his philanthropy was Emmanuel College, Cambridge, which made him an Honorary Member in 1994. He was Vice-Chairman (1981-85) and Chairman (1985–99) of the Thrombosis Research Trust.
Public roles Kaye's public activities included involvement with the Confederation of British Industry and membership of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art. He was also a trustee of the Glyndebourne Opera from 1979 to 1984.
Personal life In 1946, Kaye married Elizabeth, daughter of Mark Cutler; they had a son and two daughters.Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed and Official Classes, Kelly's Directories, 1969, p. 1122 He was appointed C.B.E. in 1967, and Knight Bachelor in 1974.
References
Further reading Labour Party PLC: New Labour as a Party of Business —lengthy extract from David Osler's book about Labour fundraising and the Labour Leader's Office Fund