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Theo Paphitis
Retail Entrepreneur, TV Dragon and #SBS Small Business Sunday Creator
Chairman and Owner - Ryman, Robert Dyas, Boux Avenue and London Graphic Centre
Cypriot born Theo Paphitis has a business empire that spans retail, property and finance. He left school at 16 with no qualifications due to his dyslexia, but soon discovered his passion for retail working for Watches of Switzerland - and the rest is history.
He has been in retail for over 40 years and in that time bought and revived the fortunes of the likes of Ryman, La Senza, Contessa, and Robert Dyas and launched global lingerie brand Boux Avenue in 2011. In 2016 he added The London Graphic Centre to his portfolio.
Theo is also known for his 8 years as Millwall Chairman, as well as many TV appearances, including most notably as a long-standing Dragon on the BBC's Dragons' Den. He supports several charities, through his Theo Paphitis Charitable Trust, and is also Chancellor of Solent University. Theo is also a known and respected voice on current affairs and championing the big issues in business and retail across the media.
Theo launched his small business initiative #SBS Small Business Sunday network in 2010, which now has an annual event and over 4,000 small businesses. In 2023 Theo became the British Dyslexia Association’s first Dyslexia Empowerment Patron, and also joined forces with the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity to launch the Theo Paphitis Dyslexia Bursary. This helps to fund specialist courses for teachers and teaching assistants, helping them to identify and appropriately support young people with dyslexia.
Session Insights:
In this unmissable keynote fireside chat, retail entrepreneur and well-known Dragon’s Den investor, Theo Paphitis will share his inspiring passion for retail having been in the industry for over forty years.
As chair and owner of Ryman, Robert Dyas & Boux Avenue, Theo will share key insights on building and growing a successful retail business, even in truly challenging circumstances.
As a well-known people champion and respected voice for retail, you’ll also learn how Theo keeps his workforce highly engaged and his key leadership strategies.