IT seems apt that Sydney's most powerful person has his western Sydney roots to thank for it all.

Frank Lowy, who arrived penniless, from Palestine in 1952 - saw a niche for a retail "super-centre" targeted at Bankstown's thriving European population in the mid 1950s.

Primarily doing business in the western suburbs, the word "west" was a natural choice for a name and, as they were subdividing farmland, "field" seemed appropriate.

Fifty years on, Sydney's most powerful person now oversees 119 shopping centres across the world, more than 22,000 retailers and boasts up to 10 million square metres of retail space - more than any other man alive.

According to the Lowy biography, he lived in fear in his early life, when family members often risked their lives simply to acquire food.

But starvation wasn't the only enemy in pre-war Hungary, with anti-Semitic gangs and secret police constantly patrolling the streets for anyone they could round up.

"I was always listening to what was said to make sure we could survive," he wrote in the book.

"I don't remember having any friends. There was continuous bad news and fear.

"My brother risked his life to bring us food. We all risked our lives for each other,"

For much of the past decade, Lowy has steered the turnaround of Australia's fastest growing sport - football. Its transformation has proved nothing short of astounding.

Under his watch, Australia's impressive performance at the 2006 World Cup shocked the world - leading to the re-branded, revitalised A-League competition continuing to surprise.

Like the nine other candidates who make up the Top 10 of Sydney's Power 50 list, Mr Lowy's contacts and connections in the business, sporting and political world make him not only one of Sydney's, but Australia's most powerful people.
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