Theo Paphitis

Theo Paphitis was born in Cyprus and emigrated to Britain with his family in the 1960s. Entrepreneurial Theo, set up his own company at just 23 and has since revived the fortunes of such notable retail brands as La Senza, Contessa Lingerie, Ryman, Partners the Stationers and Stationery Box. In 2008, he combined the stationery businesses to form a new chain, Ryman the Stationer where he is now Chairman. He also co-owns Red Letter Days with fellow Dragon, Peter Jones, which he salvaged out of administration. In the spring of 2011 Theo launched the multi award winning global lingerie brand Boux Avenue and in 2012 took over the 96-store homewares and garden specialist chain, Robert Dyas. In 2016 Theo also acquired London Graphic Centre for his Theo Paphitis Retail Group portfolio. Theo was part of the popular TV series Dragons’ Den from 2005-2012, and 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. 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. Theo has also been involved with Comic Relief for several years and with his colleagues at Ryman and Robert Dyas has raised over £4 million since 2009.