Glencore founder says IPO unavoidable - report

* Founder Marc Rich says transparency important today-paper

* Rich says he would have kept company private-paper

* Rich sold his firm in 1994 to management, renamed Glencore

ZURICH, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Glencore International's [GLEN.UL] move to become a listed company and lose the ability to do business discretely was unavoidable, Marc Rich, founder of the world's largest commodities trader, told a magazine. Glencore has enjoyed a surge in value and is now worth some $60 billion, according to a leading team of mining analysts, as it contemplates an initial public offering (IPO). [ID:nLDE70P2EI]

In an interview with Swiss weekly Weltwoche, Rich said he would have probably kept the company private if he were still the owner. He sold the company that bore his name to management in 1993, which was renamed Glencore.

"It's much more convenient, not to be a listed company," the billionaire said. "Then you don't have to give information."

"Discretion is an important factor for success in this business," said Rich.

However, the 76-year old Rich said the group had probably little choice. "Today transparency is much more important," he said. "This limits your business opportunities somewhat but it's just a new strategy you have to follow."

The $60 billion value placed on Glencore by Liberum Capital would place it among the 15 biggest FTSE-listed companies if it were to secure a London listing. Barclays Plc (BARC.L) ranked 15th in the FTSE 100 .FTSE, has a market capitalisation of about 36.3 billion pounds ($57.4 billion).

Rich, who founded Glencore in 1974, said that he would buy shares should the group go public. "Glencore has fantastic people resources. They are the best people in the sector."

Belgian-born Rich fled the United States in 1983 after being indicted on charges of racketeering, income tax evasion and selling oil to Iran during the 1979-81 hostage crisis, but was pardoned by U.S. president Bill Clinton in 2001.

(Reporting by Sven Egenter; Editing by Erica Billingham)