Dion Friedland was born in South Africa, in 1943. He pioneered discount store retailing in South Africa. While at Law School at age 19, he opened his first Rave discount store. In 1969 he sold Rave and in 1970 started Dion Discount Stores which became the largest hard goods retailer in the country before he sold the chain in 1985.
An entrepreneur all his life Dion has started numerous businesses. In 1978, he founded Mandev Training which under his stewardship became the world's largest retail sales and management training consulting company. In 1994 he founded the Magnum Group of funds magnum that allocate assets to hedge funds. He founded the Hedge Fund Association and was a frequent speaker at hedge fund and financial conferences. He has been interviewed on CNN, CNBC and NHK (Japan). Starting with a virgin beach he grew Cap Juluca into the leading resort hotel in the Caribbean before he sold it in 2008. His newest venture, Radical Waters, radicalwaters.com is one of the leading global companies utilizing green ECA Technology for major food, beverage and health related companies to eliminate bacteria without the use of chemicals. Other business interests include ten motor dealerships around London smc-cars and an art distribution business which supplies fine art to dealers friedland art
Dion has been married to Hilary for 46 years. They have 2 daughters and 2 sons, all married and 10 grandchildren. Formerly a very good tennis player Dion is now focused on body building and health. He is a former member of YPO and is a current member of both WPO and CEO.