Keep up to date with the latest news about Theo, his businesses, investments and other interesting stories.
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After nine intense and fun packed series working with the BBC and the Dragons' Den team, sadly it's time for me to say for the final time, "I Am Out".
This has not been an easy decision or one that I have taken lightly, but with the workload involved in growing my exciting, successful new lingerie brand Boux Avenue both in the UK and internationally, along with my recent purchase of the Robert Dyas retail chain and the running of the 240 Ryman stationery shops, the time felt right to give up my seat, stop breathing fire and allow someone else to enjoy the wonderful experience of being a Dragon on the BBC hit TV show, Dragons' Den.
So, it just leaves it for me to say thank you to all past and present Dragons, the brilliant production teams that made the show what it is and of course the BBC for allowing me to participate in the first place.
Thank you Auntie. I Am Out.
p.s. A big Good Luck to the new Dragons!
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Theo Paphitis has always been supportive of entrepreneurial small business owners.
Small Business Sunday, shortened to the hashtag (#SBS) on Twitter, was created by Theo in October 2010. It now has its own website at www.theopaphitissbs.com which showcases businesses selected by Theo each week for a retweet.
Each week Theo rewards six small businesses that tweet him @TheoPaphitis and describe their business in one tweet including the all-important hashtag #SBS. Only tweets made in the time slot between 5.00 PM and 7.30 PM on Sundays count.
As he has over 300,000 followers, this can provide a massive boost to the chosen businesses. There have been over 650 winning businesses to date.
There is great camaraderie between the businesses who trade special offers with other winners, thanks to the interactive website, designed by #SBS winners, Metalfrog Studios.
Theo hosted the first #SBS event in March 2012 at the Edgbaston Stadium where he met over 400 small business owners. The feedback from the event was phenomenal as has been the media interest in this simple yet extremely effective initiative.
If you have a small business that needs a boost, explore www.theopaphitissbs.com, get your thinking cap on and start tweeting @TheoPaphitis!
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When many businesses are cutting their marketing budgets, Theo Paphitis has chosen to do the opposite with his three key retail brands - Boux Avenue, Ryman Stationery and Robert Dyas.
The very first TV commercial for the Boux Avenue lingerie and nightwear brand has just broken on ITV's Daybreak, showing a fun and flirty campaign with the tag line, Reveal The Magic this Christmas at Boux Avenue.
The sassy 30-second TV film was created in house and complements radio and press campaigns that run in the build up to Christmas. Media buying is with TMS 12.
There are 17 Boux Avenue stores in the UK, franchises in Iceland, Malta and Gibraltar and an interactive website. The brand was launched just 20 months ago and is the fastest-growing lingerie and nightwear label in the UK.
Ryman Stationery, which is a 120-year-old business, is running its first ever TV commercial, breaking nationally this evening. There are two 20-second films - one promoting an HP printer and a Brother Labelling Machine and a second advertising Really Useful Boxes and a Moshi Monsters Colouring & Writing set.
The strapline says, For great deals and perfect gifts, you can rely on Ryman .
The latest TV campaign to promote Robert Dyas broke in late October and features nine different 30-second ads. The commercials all feature special offers from leading brands such as Morphy Richards, Russell Hobbs and BT, as well as new gadgets and gifts such as the American Originals Cake Pop Maker at £16.99 and the Doctor Who Remote Control Dalek at £24.99. Advertising for the Robert Dyas Christmas Sale starts this week.
Ryman hired 438 Marketing in Manchester for their campaign while the Robert Dyas adverts were produced by the London-based production company, Fin. Media buying for both campaigns is through the7stars.
TV Dragon Theo Paphitis, who is chairman of all three companies said, "I am thrilled to see all brands on TV at the same time. The ads are designed to drive traffic to our stores and on line during the crucial pre-Christmas peak weeks. Feedback to our first Boux Avenue ad has been phenomenal and I look forward to hearing similar feedback from our new Ryman and Robert Dyas campaigns."
The combined group comprises 349 stores and 3,600 employees who serve over 28 million customers a year.
www.bouxavenue.com
www.ryman.co.uk
www.robertdyas.co.uk
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The Board of Robert Dyas Group ("Robert Dyas" or "the company") announce the sale of the company to
Gladys Emmanuel Limited, a company wholly owned by Theo Paphitis, for an undisclosed sum. Mr Paphitis, famous for his appearances on BBC TV's Dragons' Den series, heads a retail and property empire that includes Ryman, the stationery retail chain and Boux Avenue lingerie.
Robert Dyas majority shareholders have been Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. and Lloyds Banking Group plc since the restructuring of the business in 2009 via a debt for equity arrangement. In January 2012 a sales process was initiated under the aegis of Cavendish Corporate Finance.
Geoff Brady, the outgoing Chairman of Robert Dyas, commented:
"I am delighted that the business has attracted an entrepreneur of Theo's stature: his track record for growing retail businesses is second to none. Under his Chairmanship Ryman, which shares both the "convenience" retail positioning of Robert Dyas and a long and distinguished history on Britain's high street, has gone from strength to strength growing both organically and through acquisitions."
"The sales process attracted a great deal of interest from potential buyers, both from the UK and overseas, but I believe this transaction provides significant benefits both to the Robert Dyas team and to our customers. We will not only benefit from the expertise and experience of Theo and his team, but will also see a considerable strengthening of our financial position that will support the continuing development of the Robert Dyas business."
Theo Paphitis, who will join the Robert Dyas Board as Chairman said, "I am very pleased with the purchase of the Robert Dyas business. It is a business which fits well with my investment criteria and I'm looking forward to working with the management team who have done an excellent job in getting Robert Dyas to where it is today."
The current Chief Executive, Graham Coles, will stay in his position along with other members of the Robert Dyas Board. Chairman Geoff Brady and Non-executive Director Ian Gray leave the Board.
Kypros Kyprianou, Group Chief Executive of Ryman joins the board as Director.
www.robertdyas.co.uk
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