Robert Bourne (developer)
Robert Bourne (born 16 May 1951) is a British property developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who was born in London. Bourne has amassed a property and leisure empire in London and France and has acted as a patron of the dramatic arts with his wife, theatre impresario, Sally Greene OBE.[1]
Businesses[edit]
Bourne established an International Division which includes two hotels in France, in Courchevel and St Tropez. However, in 2009, in a move widely condemned locally, Bourne purchased and gave notice of closing within a month the little zoo of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, with animals to be dispersed elsewhere and replaced by a luxury spa. He later agreed to sell the land and zoo at the price he paid, around 20 million Euros, to any public body interested in buying.[2][title missing][page needed]
In 2001 Bourne led a consortium of investors in a bid to buy the Millennium Dome from the British government. The Legacy Consortium bid £125 million for the Dome, planning to turn it into a high-tech “Knowledge City”.[3]
Philanthropic activity[edit]
In 1998 The Old Vic was in decline and faced threats of becoming a lap dancing club.[4] After public outcry and a plea from the Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, for a patron to step forward and purchase the theatre, Bourne and Sally Greene set up The Old Vic Theatre Trust, which acquired the theatre. In 2003 Bourne and his wife persuaded American actor Kevin Spacey to act as the theatre's artistic director.[5]
RADA[edit]
Bourne is an Associate Member of RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art).[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ↑ Bremner, Charles. "Sunday Times Rich List 2005". The Times. (subscription required)
- ↑ Nice-Matin, 15 October 2009
- ↑ "Dome bidder foresees fast profit". BBC News. 9 January 2001. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
- ↑ "Old Vic theatre saved". BBC News. 3 July 1998. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
- ↑ Spencer, Charles (26 April 2004). "'The Old Vic building itself seemed to speak to me'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 June 2008.
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