July 27

Geoffrey de Havilland was born in 1882 in London and developed a passion for flight from a young age. He flew as a pilot for the Royal Aircraft Factory during World War I and contributed to early military aircraft designs. In 1920, he established the de Havilland Aircraft Company, creating landmark aircraft like the DH.4 bomber and the Mosquito. His innovative work in lightweight wooden aircraft structures revolutionized performance and manufacturing techniques. Knighted in 1944, he oversaw the growth of his company into a leading global aerospace manufacturer. De Havilland's designs influenced generations of engineers and remain celebrated in aviation history.

J. Robert Hooper (1936-2008) was an American figure celebrated for his dual career in business and public service. As an entrepreneur, he founded and managed successful ventures that contributed to economic growth within his community. He later entered politics, serving in local government and advocating for policies that supported small businesses and job creation. Hooper’s ability to bring private sector insights to public office fostered collaboration between industry and government. He was active in civic organizations and remained committed to community development throughout his life. His legacy reflects a blend of entrepreneurial success and dedicated public service.

Robert Holmes à Court (1937-1990) was a prominent South African-born Australian businessman and lawyer who became Australia’s first billionaire. After beginning his career as a lawyer, he transitioned into corporate finance and private equity, orchestrating high-profile takeovers such as the Bell Group acquisition. Holmes à Court diversified his interests across media, mining, and agriculture, establishing a vast conglomerate known for its ambitious growth. A patron of the arts, he supported major symphony orchestras and cultural festivals in Australia. His dynamic leadership and corporate strategies left a transformative mark on the nation’s business landscape.

Kazuyoshi Miura founded and managed multiple companies across the manufacturing and technology sectors. He was known for his innovative strategies that drove business growth in domestic and international markets. Miura's leadership style emphasized sustainability and corporate responsibility. He served as an advisor to various economic councils, influencing national business policy. His legacy includes mentorship programs for young entrepreneurs in Japan.

Bob Diamond is an Anglo-American financier who began his career at Citigroup before becoming head of Global Markets at JPMorgan Chase. He joined Barclays in 1996 and was appointed CEO in 2010, leading the bank's expansion in global investment banking. His tenure at Barclays included transforming the bank into a major player in the United States and Asia, though it ended in 2012 amid the LIBOR rate-rigging scandal. After resigning, Diamond co-founded Atlas Mara, focusing on banking investments in Africa. Knighted in 2012 for services to banking, he remains an influential figure in international finance and corporate governance.

Born in 1976, Demis Hassabis showed early talents as a child chess prodigy before earning a double First in Computer Science from Cambridge University. He pursued a career in artificial intelligence, working at elite AI labs and co-founding DeepMind in 2010. Under his leadership, DeepMind achieved groundbreaking milestones in machine learning, including the AlphaGo program that defeated a world champion Go player. Hassabis' work has been recognized with numerous awards, and he is a leading voice in discussions on AI ethics and governance. In addition to his research, he serves on advisory boards and has expanded DeepMind's applications in healthcare and other fields.