Learn and talk about Theo Paphitis, British eurosceptics, Businesspeople from London, Cypriot emigrants to England, English people of Greek Cypriot descent .com Theodoros 'Theo' Paphitis ( Greek : Θεόδωρος Παφίτης) (born 24 September 1959) is a Cypriot-born British retail magnate and entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He is best known to the general public for his appearances on the BBC business programme Dragons' Den and as former chairman of Millwall Football Club . Paphitis has made the majority of his fortune in the retail sector. In 2006, he sold his equity stake in the lingerie brand La Senza for a reported £100 million. He is the owner of stationery chain Ryman , the homewares specialist Robert Dyas and lingerie retailer Boux Avenue . The 2015 Sunday Times Rich List estimated his wealth at £280 million. [1] Contents Early life[ edit ] Born in Limassol , Cyprus, [2] Paphitis is the second of three brothers; elder brother Marinos and younger brother George.

They share two half-brothers. He came to England with his parents and Marinos when he was nine years old. He attended Ambler Primary School, Islington and Woodberry Down Comprehensive School , Manor House (closed in 1981) where he battled with dyslexia , but began his entrepreneurial activities by running the school tuckshop, at the age of 15. Business career[ edit ] Paphitis took a job as a tea boy and filing clerk at a City of London insurance broker . Wanting more money, he discovered his passion for retailing and sales when at 18 he worked as a sales assistant for Watches of Switzerland in Bond Street . [3] Aged 21, he joined Legal & General selling commercial mortgages, which taught him to read other businesses' balance sheets . Aged 23, he set up a property finance company with close friend and business associate Mark Moran, and kept going when the friend left in partnership with Hanover Druce, making his first money on the rise of the 1980s commercial property markets.

[3] Spotting the rise in mobile telephones , he bought into NAG Telecom, becoming chairman alongside fellow director Tony Kleanthous (now chairman of Barnet FC ). Paphitis gained a large market share for NAG by negotiating concessionary positions in Ryman stationery stores. [4] When Ryman went bankrupt, Paphitis approached the administrators and bought the company. He turned it around by improving relations with suppliers, and enthusing the management team, [3] cementing his reputation for turning failing companies into highly successful and profitable businesses. His ventures now include Ryman , Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue . He co-owns Red Letter Days with fellow Dragons' Den businessman Peter Jones . In 2006, he sold his equity stake in the UK and EU segment of the global lingerie brand, La Senza , for a reported £100m. [5] In 2008, Paphitis was one of several interested parties in bidding for failed retail chain Woolworths . [6] However he later pulled out because of unrealistic numbers quoted by the administrators.

[7] In March 2011, Paphitis set up a new lingerie chain, Boux Avenue [8] which by the end of 2013 had grown to 21 stores in the UK with a further four internationally. In July 2012, he bought the hardware retailer Robert Dyas . Paphitis said: "It is a business which fits well with my investment criteria." [9] Football[ edit ] As chairman from 1997, Paphitis took Millwall out of administration and on to the 2004 FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium . He is perhaps best known for his work to reduce football hooliganism , and appointing as Millwall manager Dennis Wise , and together they guided the club to their first official appearance in the final of the FA Cup and into European football. [10] After almost eight years at the helm of Millwall, Paphitis stepped down from his role as chairman in 2005. [11] Paphitis is a director and part-owner of Isthmian League side Walton & Hersham .

Ryman Stationery sponsors the Isthmian League in a deal until the end of the 2015–16 season. Sponsorship of the Ryman League has been running for 19 years and is the longest current sponsorship deal in British football.[ citation needed ] Paphitis' other companies became sponsors of the League's cup competitions with Robert Dyas sponsoring cup tournaments. Boux Avenue became title sponsor of the Boux Avenue Women's Cup. Television[ edit ] After appearing on series four of the BBC Back to the Floor series while chairman at Millwall FC, Paphitis was approached to become one of the "dragons" in the second series of the BBC Two entrepreneurship series Dragons' Den in 2005 and left the programme after the 2012 season. [12] Paphitis was known as a straight-talking but approachable and sincere 'dragon' who made many investments on the show, both alone and jointly with other dragon investors. In February 2013, he announced that he would be leaving the show. [13] In 2010, Paphitis had a three-part television series on BBC Two called Theo's Adventure Capitalists.

The series followed British businesses looking to enter new markets in Brazil, India and Vietnam. The series was supported by the Open University . [14] In 2011, Paphitis presented the seven-part BBC Two series called Britain's Next Big Thing . The series examined the stories of artists, scientists, manufacturers and brand owners looking to sell their products and services to UK retailers including Boots and Liberty. [15] After time away from television to concentrate on business, Paphitis returned with appearances on BBC's Question Time and ITV 's The Agenda . In March 2014, he appeared in Famous, Rich and Hungry , a two-part BBC documentary series which aimed to promote awareness of British people living in poverty, and raise money for Sport Relief . Business philosophy[ edit ] Paphitis attributes his success to his natural common sense, and his favourite motto is a famous business school motto: KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid. He has said that "There are three reasons to be in business. To make money, to have fun – and to make money." [16] Paphitis has been criticised for some of his views on women.

In 2008 he was quoted by Kira Cochrane of The Guardian newspaper as saying that although women may refuse to take maternity leave , "their brains turn to mush" after the pregnancy and "they take three months off". [17] Personal life[ edit ] Paphitis lives with his wife Debbie (whom he refers to as Mrs. P on Dragons' Den) in Weybridge, Surrey . They have five children - two sons and three daughters, including twins and four grandchildren. [18] [19] Paphitis is a keen fan of cars and of Formula One . His first car, like fellow "dragon" Peter Jones , was an Alfa Romeo Alfasud , and he presently owns a chrome Maybach 62 , Mercedes SL63 AMG and a Toyota Land Cruiser. His car collection has a series of personalised number plates , including RYM4N (on the Maybach). [20] References[ edit ] ^ BBC - BBC Two Programmes - Dragons' Den - Theo Paphitis BBC Two Theo Paphitis Theo Paphitis is one of the UK's most high profile businessmen. His empire spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods.

Born in Cyprus, his family came to Britain in the 1960s. Theo first showed his business skills at the tender age of 15 when he was put in charge of his school tuck shop and achieved notable success with the venture. His formal working career started as a junior clerk (assistant to the tea boy) with a Lloyd's of London broker, before he moved into retail at the age of 18. He then moved into property and corporate finance, setting up his own company at just 23 years of age. Theo was Chairman of Millwall FC for eight years, taking the club out of administration and into the Championship, then to the FA Cup final for the first time in their history. He has also revived the fortunes of notable retail brands such as Ryman, La Senza Lingerie (UK), Contessa Lingerie, Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box. He sold his interest in La Senza and Contessa in 2006 and now retains a minority shareholding. In 2008, he combined the stationery businesses to launch a new chain, Ryman Stationery, where he is now Chairman.

At the end of 2008, Theo was one of several interested parties in the bidding for failed retail chain Woolworths. He later pulled out because of unrealistic numbers quoted by the administrator. In Spring 2011 Theo launched a new venture called Boux Avenue, which specializes in ladies lingerie. Through his appearances on Dragons' Den, Theo has advised many young entrepreneurs and invested in several innovative businesses and brands. The Paphitis Charitable Trust distributes all of his fees from TV appearances, speeches and his book to causes close to his heart and charities associated with children. In early 2009 Theo was appointed patron for Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, which is committed to driving up skills levels in the industry. His special areas of responsibility are as the Retail Apprentices' Champion and for the new National Skills Academy for Retail. In summer 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Middlesex. Theo lives in Surrey with his wife Debbie. They have five children and three grandchildren.

Q&A Theo Paphitis( Greek :Θεόδωρος Παφίτης) (born 24 September 1959) is a Cypriot-born British retail magnate and entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He is best known to the general public for his appea...[ASK K-POP] References Theo Paphitis Theo Paphitis( Greek :Θεόδωρος Παφίτης) (born 24 September 1959) is a Cypriot-born British retail magnate and entrepreneur of Greek Cypriot origin. He is best known to the general public for his appearances on the BBC business programmeDragons' Denand as former chairman of Millwall Football Club .Paphitis has made the majority of his fortune in the retail sector. In 2006, he sold his equity stake in the lingerie brand La Senza for a reported £100 million.

He is the owner of stationery chain Ryman , the homewares specialist Robert Dyas and lingerie retailer Boux Avenue .In 2014, Paphitis was reported to have an estimated net worth of £210 million. Recent news about Theo Paphitis Theo Paphitis's Biography Early life[edit] Paphitis is the second of three brothers; elder brother Marinos and younger brother George. They share two half-brothers. He came to England with his parents and Marinos when he was nine years old. He attended Ambler Primary School, Islington and Woodberry Down Comprehensive School , Manor House (closed in 1981) where he battled with dyslexia , but began his entrepreneurial activities by running the school tuckshop, at the age of 15. Business career[edit] Aged 21, he joined Legal & General selling commercial mortgages, which taught him to read other businesses' balance sheets . Dragons' Denbusinessman Peter Jones . In 2006, he sold his equity stake in the UK and EU segment of the global lingerie brand, La Senza , for a reported £100m.

However he later pulled out because of unrealistic numbers quoted by the administrators. which by the end of 2013 had grown to 21 stores in the UK with a further four internationally. Football[edit] After almost eight years at the helm of Millwall, Paphitis stepped down from his role as chairman in 2005. Paphitis is a director and part-owner of Isthmian League side Walton & Hersham . Ryman Stationery sponsors the Isthmian League in a deal until the end of the 2015–16 season. Sponsorship of the Ryman League has been running for 19 years and is the longest current sponsorship deal in British football.[citation needed]Paphitis' other companies became sponsors of the League's cup competitions with Robert Dyas sponsoring cup tournaments. Boux Avenue became title sponsor of the Boux Avenue Women's Cup. Television[edit] Dragons' Denin 2005 and left the programme after the 2012 season.Paphitis was known as a straight-talking but approachable and sincere 'dragon' who made many investments on the show, both alone and jointly with other dragon investors.

In February 2013, he announced that he would be leaving the show. . The series followed British businesses looking to enter new markets in Brazil, India and Vietnam. The series was supported by the Open University . . The series examined the stories of artists, scientists, manufacturers and brand owners looking to sell their products and services to UK retailers including Boots and Liberty. After time away from television to concentrate on business, Paphitis returned with appearances on BBC'sQuestion Timeand ITV 'sThe Agenda. In March 2014, he appeared inFamous, Rich and Hungry, a two-part BBC documentary series which aimed to promote awareness of British people living in poverty, and raise money for Sport Relief . Business philosophy[edit] . He has said that "There are three reasons to be in business. To make money, to have fun – and to make money." newspaper as saying that although women may refuse to take maternity leave , "their brains turn to mush" after the pregnancy and "they take three months off".

Paphitis is a supporter of small businesses, and runs a weekly competition each Sunday evening for local businesses to have their message retweeted through his Twitter account.[citation needed]Winners are then listed on Theo's winners website . Personal life[edit] ) in Weybridge, Surrey . They have five children – two sons and three daughters, including twins – and four grandchildren.Paphitis is dyslexic. Read more Theo Paphitis's References Theo Paphitis | business speaker | Captain of Industry | Dragons Den Theo Paphitis The Early Years Theo Paphitis was born in Cyprus. His family emigrated to Britain in the 1960s and he first showed his business skills at the tender age of 15 when he successfully ran his North London school’s tuck shop. Theo’s first job was as an assistant with a Lloyds of London broker, before moving into retail when he was 18. He then moved into property and corporate finance, setting up his own company at just 23. The Businessman Theo was Chairman of Millwall FC for eight years, taking the club out of administration, into the Championship (to the FA Cup Final opposite Manchester United) and into Europe.

He’s revived the fortunes of such notable retail brands as La Senza, Contessa Lingerie, Ryman, Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box. He sold his interest in the La Senza and Contessa in 2006. In 2008, he combined the stationery businesses to form a new chain, Ryman the Stationer where he is now Chairman. The company sponsors the Isthmian football league, called the Ryman Football League. He also owns Red Letter Days with fellow Dragon, Peter Jones, which he salvaged out of administration, and is an investor in Smarta, the business support and advice network for small business owners and entrepreneurs. The Paphitis Charitable Trust distributes Theo’s fees from TV appearances, speeches and his book to causes close to his heart, especially children’s charities. With his 2,200 colleagues at Ryman, he has helped raise in excess of £1,000,000 for Comic Relief, a charity that Theo and the company have supported for three years. Education and Development Theo is a patron for Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, which is committed to driving up skills levels in the industry.

His special areas of responsibility are as the Retail Apprentices’ Champion and the National Skills Academy for Retail. Theo has also fronted a campaign by the Carbon Trust that is giving away 0% loans to businesses through its Big Business Refit campaign. He has two Honorary Doctorates, from the University of Middlesex and the University of Huddersfield. These are in recognition of his belief that it is important to enjoy learning in its broadest possible sense. TV Appearances and Book Through his appearances on BBC TWO’s Dragons’ Den, Theo has advised many entrepreneurs and invested in several innovative businesses and brands. He’s also fronted Theo’s Adventure Capitalists, where he follows the fortunes of brave and bold British companies trying to expand in three of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets – India, Brazil and Vietnam. 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. Home Life Theo lives in Surreywith his wife Debbie. They have five children and three grandchildren.

How to be your own dragon for just a tenner - Seedrs.com - Telegraph This is why I'm worried for investors in the FTSE 100 How to be your own dragon for just a tenner Until recently you needed a sizeable fortune to invest in start-up companies, but crowdfunding sites allow investors to contribute as little as £10. Gavin Jordan, who works in corporate finance for Ernst & Young, has been investing in start-up businesses. Photo: warren allott Comments The TV show Dragon’s Den is looking for a new dragon, after Theo Paphitis – a former chairman of Millwall Football Club, who now runs both Robert Dyas and Ryman – quit last week. But while you may need a sizeable personal fortune to stand a chance of replacing him on the BBC Two programme, you don’t need such a big bank balance to start investing in fledgling businesses. In fact, thanks to a wave of new online “crowdfunding” sites, you can be your own dragon for just a tenner. Until very recently, only the seriously wealthy could afford to invest in start-up companies.

For starters, most firms seeking funding to get their ideas or products off the ground are looking for significant sums, typically running into tens of thousands of pounds. And these are often high-risk enterprises, where there is a high chance you won’t see any return on your money. But these crowdfunding sites turn the traditional funding method on its head: rather than a business seeking £5m from one wealthy backer, it can raise the same amount from half a million people all pledging £10. Crowdfunding sites, such as Seedrs and Crowdcube, aim to connect fledging businesses needing money with investors with cash to spare. Businesses currently seeking funding include a new hi-tech company, Digital Spin, that has developed a new system for websites to verify individuals while boosting ad revenue; and StoreMate – a company that links those with spare storage in their home to those who need to pay for storage. Related Articles Crowdfunding 'could revolutionise lending' 17 Dec 2012 Of course the risk remains the same: you could still lose the original investment, however small it is.

But the advantage of investing less is that it allows most people to diversify, so while some of their investments may not come to fruition there is the potential – at least over the longer term – to back a growing business that will deliver a handsome return to its initial backers. Jeff Lynn, the founder of Seedrs, said that the term “crowdfunding” covers a wide range of activities. Many companies – like the US-based Kickstarter – have been instrumental in raising huge amounts from such micro-donations, often to back charitable or artistic projects or scientific research. Community projects in the UK that have tried to raise money by such schemes include a “forest garden” in south London. But Mr Lynn said the outlook is different at Seedrs. “We are not there solely to raise money for projects we think are cool or worthy, although a lot of them are. We are there because we think this is a fantastic asset class which has the potential to deliver serious returns over the longer term. Our prime motive is to deliver profits to our investors.” There is a fee, of course. This isn’t paid upfront, but is deducted from any profits made.

Once individuals have got back the amount they have made, Seedrs will impose a 7.5pc charge on the remaining profit. In addition, any business seeking funding through the site will pay the same fee if they succeed in raising the funding asked for. Mr Lynn said the key had to be diversification. “Whether you have £5,000 to invest or £50,000, it shouldn’t all be in just one business.” By its very nature these are long-term investments. Most start-up companies don’t pay dividends, and there isn’t a secondary market to buy and sell private equity shares. Investors are only likely to see a return on their money when their business is either sold, or another private buyer – say a group of venture capitalists – offer to buy your stake in the business at a later stage. Given the gains are unpredictable, and likely to be years away at best, there are generous tax incentives to encourage people to invest in such “Seed Enterprise” investment schemes. Depending on your tax status, you could effectively gain tax relief worth up to 78pc on these investments. To start with, you can claim 50pc income tax relief.

In other words, if you have invested £40,000, then you can offset half of this against your tax bill. So if you had to pay tax on £100,000, it could be reduced by £20,000 – meaning you would only be taxed on £80,000. This will be particularly beneficial if this reduction moves you from the 50pc to 40pc tax band. So how do these crowdfunding schemes work? In many ways they obey the principles of Dragon’s Den. The companies that get selected to pitch for business (both Crowdcube and Seedrs will do some initial filtering to ensure they are viable and legal businesses) state how much money they are looking to raise, and how they plan to use this money to drive their business forward. On Seedrs the company then has three months to raise this money. If investors don’t put up the full amount, they walk away with nothing, and any money pledged to date is returned. This week it was reported that Crowdcube – like Seedrs – is now fully authorised by the Financial Services Authority.

This means that it is covered by the Financial Service Compensation Scheme, and investors have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service should a dispute arise at a later date. Luke Lang, the co-founder of Exeter-based Crowdcube, said this approval should encourage more ordinary investors to look at this asset class. He said: “When we talk about taking crowdfunding mainstream, it is crucial that people have the confidence of the additional protection they’ll get as a result.” But investors should be clear on the limits of the protection being offered. Mr Lynn said: “This won’t offer protection against failed investment. Not all of these businesses will deliver returns for investors – that is the nature of private equity.” However, as an authorised business, these crowdfunding sites have to keep customers’ money in separate segregated accounts, and ensure it is invested as stated. If this does not happen, then customers would have grounds for complaint and compensation. Although these companies look similar there are some differences between them, the main one being that when funding is raised, Seedrs holds all the share issues in a nominee structure. In contrast, Crowdcube passes on these share certificates directly to investors.

Seedrs argues its structure gives investors additional protection, as it can act on their behalf and negotiate with the company on issues like share price dilution, should they need to raise further funding at a later stage. Gavin Jordan, who works in corporate finance for Ernst & Young, has been investing in start-up businesses on Seedrs since it launched in July 2012. “I now have holdings in seven or eight companies,” he said, and tends to invest in companies “with a technology bias”. “I like companies where there is clearly articulated innovative idea, and the opportunity for the business to scale up quickly.” Before committing his money he researches the start-up thoroughly, and tries to talk to the individuals behind it. Seedrs has been very useful, he said, arranging events to facilitate this. “In one case I wasn’t going to invest, as it looked more like someone’s hobby, rather than a business opportunity. But after meeting the individual, and seeing their enthusiasm and dedication, I’ve invested a small amount of money. It’s a punt, but I’m confident they will put in every effort to make it a success.” Previously he has provided small loans to individuals and businesses in Africa via the Kiva website.

“The tax-efficient nature of these investments helps limit my risk but this is about supporting entrepreneurs. Hopefully it will do good and help create jobs in the UK.” Profile: Theo Paphitis - Marketing Week Profile: Theo Paphitis By Jonathan Bacon 4 Feb 2015 10:43 am Theo Paphitis’s office in Wimbledon, south-west London is not exactly a Dragon’s Den. The room has plenty of reminders of his former role on the BBC programme, including furniture made by eco-friendly venture Reestore – one of his investments on the show – and a business book by fellow ‘dragon’ Duncan Bannatyne on his coffee table. But the room is brighter and altogether more welcoming than the ominous lair in which Paphitis used to sit and cast judgement on the business plans of hopeful entrepreneurs. The office is Paphitis’s command centre for his diverse trio of retail businesses: the stationer Ryman, home and hardware chain Robert Dyas and lingerie brand Boux Avenue. Paphitis left Dragons’ Den in 2013 to focus on growing these companies and was rewarded last month with his best ever set of trading figures.

When Marketing Week arrives the self-made tycoon is in cheerful mood and keen to talk about his group’s expansion plans for 2015 and beyond. Click here to watch the interview “It’s been a mad start to the year,” he says with a grin. “I don’t think anyone could guess just how ambitious we are.” Dressed in a trademark pinstripe suit and sporting a gold watch, Paphitis is the epitome of the businessman brand. Since finishing his eight-year stint on Dragons’ Den he has maintained a television presence by hosting regular segments on BBC’s The One Show and he continues to support UK start-ups by running a Twitter competition from his personal account every Sunday. His media polish is evident in a one-on-one interview, though it’s also clear that Paphitis’s no-nonsense demeanour on Dragons’ Den was not just for the cameras. He speaks directly and simply about why each of his three retailers achieved healthy sales uplifts last year, with convenience and customer service common factors, and seems to revel in the day-to-day challenges he has faced since leaving the programme that made him a household name.

“Dragons’ Den was fantastic but it was right for me to say that I’ve done that now and it’s time to move on,” he asserts. “I don’t want to be known for just that. I’m a shopkeeper – that’s what I do for a living, it’s what I’m passionate about and I get as much of a kick out of doing what I do for a living as I do being on television.” Paphitis’s retail empire has grown considerably in recent years with the launch of Boux Avenue in 2011 and the acquisition of Robert Dyas the following year. The group’s trading statement last month confirmed plans for new store openings across all three businesses in 2015, as well as a £5m investment in a new 160,000 sq ft distribution centre in Hemel Hempstead to service the group’s expanding online sales. Ryman, which Paphitis bought out of administration 20 years ago and now has 230 stores, grew turnover by 4% to £131m in the year to 29 March 2014, with operating profit up 6% to £7.5m.

Robert Dyas, which has 96 stores predominantly in the south of England, saw turnover rise by 9% to £124m and operating profit increase by 7% to £5.2m, while Boux Avenue continued its speedy growth with turnover up 50% year-on-year to £27m and its operating loss down 18% to £5.8m. The lingerie brand has 25 stores in the UK and nine overseas. In 2010, Paphitis started Small Business Sunday, a Twitter competition in which he promotes a selection of promising start-ups to his 462,000 followers The corporate structure overseeing these businesses was last month rebranded as the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, having formerly been The Ryman Group. Paphitis explains that the rebrand, together with the new distribution centre, are part of a concerted effort to ensure resources are shared as effectively as possible across the group as it pushes for further growth. “I still consider our businesses to be small businesses – perhaps wrongly, but that’s how I see them,” he says. “Sometimes small businesses really struggle to have the right infrastructure and quality of management in place.

We’re at full capacity at the moment in existing facilities so the new warehouse will double my capacity and save me a 7-figure sum. It’s not rocket science to say you’ve got to do that.” Paphitis’s expansion plans are a defiant challenge to the countless commentators who have foretold the “decline of the high street”. Ryman and Robert Dyas are high street chains with 120 and 140 years of history respectively, yet both have delivered strong growth in the modern, digital age thanks to a commitment to certain retailing basics: convenient locations, affordable prices, wide product selections and strong customer service rooted in staff training and internal investment. This old school approach is mixed with an increasing commitment to multichannel retail. Although Paphitis refuses to disclose the proportion of his sales that come from online – “I’m not going to share it with you or with our competitors” – he confirms that it is the fastest growth area in the group and that mobile is rapidly becoming the dominant channel within the ecommerce mix.

The role of online is clear for a lingerie business like Boux Avenue, which has a relatively small store presence, but it also has a big part to play in Ryman’s expansion plans as the stationer looks to increase its business-to-business sales and sell more big-ticket items like projectors, filing cabinets and other office equipment. For Robert Dyas, meanwhile, online will play a key role in growing the brand in the north of the UK, where it currently has no stores, and in helping it to reach an ambitious target of doubling its turnover in the next three years (see box, below). Paphitis was quick to notice the power of the internet following his acquisition of Ryman in the mid-90s. After consolidating and stabilising the ailing business, he launched a direct mail order catalogue in 1996 and then a transactional website two years later – moves which flew in the face of conventional wisdom that had claimed the business had no future. “I think one bank described Ryman as ‘a dog’ when I was trying to raise the money to buy it,” he recalls. “They said that ‘the paperless office’ was now with us, so there was no reason for it to exist.

What a load of balls. My vision of what Ryman would become was very much about embracing the technology, rather than worrying about it.” Lingerie business Boux Avenue was launched in 2011 and has grown its following using social media and content marketing Paphitis similarly doesn’t mince words when discussing the impact of digital technology today, noting that rapid changes in consumer behaviour have led to a drastic reassessment of the skills required from marketers. He points out, for example, that it is much easier for entrepreneurs to launch new ventures today than when he was starting out in business, with online channels providing immediate routes to customers and markets. “There is no longer any point in someone saying to me ‘Mr Paphitis, I’ve got 30 years of experience in retailing’, because the likelihood is that apart from a couple of years, [most of their experience] is not going to be relevant,” he says. “I could never say that before. In the past if you had a grey-haired colleague you really relied and hung on their experience, but that’s not really the case anymore.” Boux Avenue is a clear demonstration of Paphitis’s efforts to move with the times.

He launched the brand on Twitter, without any formal announcement or press release, and has steadily grown its following by using social media and content marketing to raise its profile among women. The retailer is gradually filling the gap left by La Senza, the lingerie chain that disappeared from UK shopping centres after falling into administration last year. Paphitis owned La Senza until 2006, when he sold the business to Lion Capital for £100m. He says the experience of launching a new brand from scratch has been exhilarating and exasperating in equal measure. Although he acts as chairman across all his retailers, Paphitis has also held executive leadership responsibilities for Boux Avenue since its launch to help guide it through its early years. He plans to relinquish this position to a new chief operating officer in April, who will answer to the group board in the same way that the current COOs of Ryman and Robert Dyas report into Paphitis and his directors. Once the handover is complete he admits that he may look to expand his business portfolio with another acquisition. “I’m going to be unemployed in April, so what am I going to do? I’ve got to do something,” he says.

“The important thing is not to believe your own publicity; be realistic and try to stick to what you know. My success has been in the choosing [of businesses] as opposed to just the execution.” Paphitis was born in Cyprus but moved with his family to Britain in the 1960s and settled in north London. His first job was as an assistant with a Lloyd’s broker and he later moved into property and corporate finance, setting up his own company at the age of 23. He was drawn to Ryman via NAG Telecom: a mobile phone firm acquired by Paphitis that had concessions in Ryman stores at the time of the stationer’s administration in 1995. He also served as chairman of Millwall Football Club between 1997 and 2005 and remains co-owner of Red Letter Days in partnership with fellow ‘dragon’ Peter Jones after the pair saved the experience day company from administration in 2005. Paphitis argues that entrepreneurs must have a burning passion for their ventures and admits he is struggling to slow down despite protests from his wife – famously name-checked during his time on Dragons’ Den as ‘Mrs P’.

“My advice is always to do what you’re passionate about because you’re a long time dead, you’ll be doing it for a bloody long time, so you have to do something you’re really passionate about,” he declares. “Mrs P quite rightly points out: ‘Why are you working so hard?’ It’s not the money – I just love doing what I do. The money is a scorecard and you add it up at the end of the year, pay your taxes on it and it’s a case of ‘the boy done good or the boy done bad’, but it’s a scorecard.” Paphitis seeks to impart this sense of joy to fellow entrepreneurs by running Small Business Sunday: a Twitter contest started in 2010 in which Paphitis promotes a selection of promising start-up companies to his 462,000 followers each week. As with his role on Dragons’ Den, Paphitis says that such activities allow him to continually fine-tune his business instincts and keep pace with the world around him. “Anyone who thinks they know everything is a fool,” he adds.

“In today’s environment, just when you think you know what’s around the corner, there’s something else you have to learn.” Growing Robert Dyas Homeware retailer Robert Dyas has been one of the high street’s star performers since Paphitis acquired the business for £10m three years ago. Last year the 96-store chain grew turnover by 9% and enjoyed a strong Christmas trading period following the launch of a £1m TV advertising campaign in November. The retailer has met a need for cheap home and garden equipment sold in convenient, high street locations, and Paphitis believes there is significant room to grow the brand further. His ambition to double the retailer’s annual sales to £250m within the next three years, as stated in a trading statement last month, will be supported by the imminent opening of a major new warehouse facility and by growing its presence in the north of England. “The most northerly Robert Dyas stores are currently Solihull and Leamington Spa – that’s not exactly northern,” he says.

“We need to get the message out there, make sure that people understand who we are and work our way north.” In addition to new store openings, Paphitis plans to use online channels, direct mail catalogues and his own celebrity profile to grow the Robert Dyas brand across the country. Following the Christmas campaign last year he confirms that TV advertising is proving to be a worthwhile channel in helping to raise awareness. Paphitis’s lingerie business Boux Avenue also ran a TV advertising campaign in the lead-up to Christmas. “TV is not something we used to do very often,” he says. “But the rates are a lot more affordable now than they ever were [previously] and alongside all the other media it plays a fantastic part. You have to understand the changes in media and the possibilities that are out there now, but television advertising is here to stay, believe you me.” Theo Paphitis - Paragon Speakers Theo Paphitis Fee: £15,000+ Theo Paphitis is one of the UK’s most high-profile businessmen. His empire spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods. Theo was a judge on BBC Two’s Dragon’s Den for nine years.

Theo Paphitis was born in Cyprus before emigrating to Britain in the 1960s with his family. 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 then to the FA Cup Final and into Europe. Theo 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 and now retains a minority shareholding. In 2008, he combined the stationery businesses to launch a new chain, Ryman Stationery ( where he is now Chairman. The company sponsors the Isthmian football league, called the Ryman league. Another high profile venture is Red Letter Days, the company he salvaged out of administration. He owns it with fellow Dragon, Peter Jones.

In Spring 2011 Theo launched lingerie business Boux Avenue, and has recently opened its seventeenth store nationwide and third internationally. Last year he acquired hardware and electrical company Robert Dyas, along with its 96 stores. 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. He has recently taken part in ‘Famous, Rich and Hungry’ to raise awareness of UK poverty for Sport Relief. The programme was broadcast on BBC One in March 2014. Theo appeared on BBC 2′s Dragon’s Den for nine years, advising many young entrepreneurs and investing in several innovative businesses and brands. Theo regularly guests on various programmes including ’10 o’clock live’ for Channel 4, ITV’s Daybreak and BBC news. Theo filmed in Vietnam, India and Brazil for a BBC 2 television series called “Theo’s Adventure Capitalists”. The series tracked the success of British enterprises looking to business overseas. In April 2011 Theo’s 7 x 60 minute series, “Britain’s Next Big Thing” aired on BBC2 .

Theo goes behind closed doors at some of the biggest names in UK retail to expose the secret world of buying for the first time. 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. Theo is a patron for Skillsmart Retail, the Sector Skills Council for Retail, which is committed to driving up skills levels in the industry. His special areas of responsibility are as the Retail Apprentices’ Champion and for the new National Skills Academy for Retail. Find out more about booking Theo Paphitis... Your Enquiry

Question: British tv ‘Dragon’ Theo Paphitis was the chairman of which London football club for eight years until 2006?
Answer: Millwall