Raphael Benaim


About

Having been born on the other side of the Straits, in Tetouan, Raphael Benaim relocated in 1960 with his family to Gibraltar, his fathers homeland. Raphael was 18 at the time and upon arrival he began working alongside his father in their newly acquired coffee roasting business. Whilst the company enjoyed a local distribution channel, the main focus of its efforts was on export to Spain. The directors were forced, however, to rework their entire business model when in 1969 the border shut. Life in Gibraltar changed overnight and suddenly all supply chains to and from Spain were cut dead. Entrepreneurial local businessmen had to act quickly to find alternative ways of supporting their families and the wider community.

The Benaims diversified into the import of staple food products from all over Europe into Gibraltar via sea. In 1976 they partnered with Pardo family to form Benpar Ltd and this was then destined to become a business alliance that would last a lifetime. With an exceptional head for figures and an eye for opportunity, Raphael has a solid business acumen that is borne out by his decades of sound decision making and quantifiable results. In addition to property development and real estate investments, Raphael Benaim’s portfolio of companies today include supermarkets, hospitality businesses and wholesale distribution.