Theo Paphitis

Ryman Chairman; Theo Paphitis

Theo Paphitis is one of the UK’s most high profile businessmen. His empire spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods.

The famous entrepreneur was born in Cyprus. His family emigrated to Britain in the 1960s and Theo showed his business skills at the tender age of 15 when he was put in charge of his North London school’s tuck shop, achieving notable success.

His formal working career started as an assistant to the tea boy with a Lloyds of London broker before moving into retail at the age of 18. He then moved into property and corporate finance, setting up his own company aged just 23.

He was Chairman of Millwall FC for eight years, taking the club out of administration and into the Championship and to the FA Cup Final v Manchester United and into Europe.

He has also revived the fortunes of notable retail brands such as La Senza Lingerie (UK), Contessa Lingerie, Ryman, Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box. He sold his interest in the La Senza UK business and Contessa in 2006.

In 2008, he combined the stationery businesses to launch a new chain, Ryman Stationery (www.ryman.co.uk) where he is now Chairman.

Another high profile venture is Red Letter Days, the company he salvaged out of administration, which he co-owns.

Theo's most recent high profile retail initiative was the launch of a highly innovative new lingerie business in spring 2011 called Boux Avenue. There are eight stores and an interactive website (www.bouxavenue.com) and the company will continue to expand with new stores in 2012.

Theo is probably best known for his star role in Dragons' Den. Filming for the tenth series is about to start. In addition, in 2011 Theo presented a new seven part BBC TWO TV series called Britain's Next Big Thing, where he went behind closed doors at some of the biggest names in UK retail to expose the fascinating world of buying.

Theo’s life story – Enter the Dragon – is published by Orion Books in paperback. It gives an insight into the thoughts and aspirations of one of the UK’s most popular entrepreneurs.

The Paphitis Charitable Trust distributes his fees from TV appearances, speeches and his book to causes close to his heart, in particular charities associated with children. With his colleagues at Ryman stationery, Theo has helped raise over a million pounds for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day Campaign. Theo is also an ambassador for the Sport Relief campaign (organized by Comic Relief) that runs until March 25 this year.

He has three Honorary Doctorates – from the University of Middlesex, University of Huddersfield and Southampton Solent University. These are in recognition of his belief that it is important to enjoy learning in its broadest possible sense.

Theo lives in Surrey with his wife Debbie. They have five children and four grandchildren.

www.theopaphitis.com

www.ryman.co.uk

www.bouxavenue.com

www.redletterdays.co.uk

You can follow Theo Paphitis on Twitter

http://twitter.com/TheoPaphitis

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