Theo Paphitis Appointed Vice President of the British Dyslexia Association
Theo Paphitis has been appointed Vice President of The British Dyslexia Association (BDA), building on a powerful and evolving partnership that has already delivered meaningful change.
Since becoming the BDA’s Empowerment Patron in 2024, Mr Paphitis has demonstrated exceptional commitment to supporting individuals with dyslexia. Working on a fully pro bono basis, he has contributed through advocacy, fundraising, public engagement and direct work with young people, educators and employers.
At the heart of his impact is a shared commitment to community. Through Ryman and the wider Theo Paphitis Retail Group, more than £65,000 has been raised to support the BDA’s work. This funding has helped drive life-changing initiatives, including the “Theo Paphitis Dyslexia Assessment Bursary”, which has provided over 85 young people aged 12–21 from low-income households with access to full diagnostic assessments. For many families, this has made support possible where it would otherwise have been out of reach.
Ryman teams have also embraced hands-on fundraising and awareness activity, taking part in a wide range of challenges and events - from hikes and marathons to imaginative in-store initiatives - helping to bring communities together while raising vital funds and awareness.
Looking ahead, Mr Paphitis and the Ryman team are committed to continuing and expanding their fundraising efforts. Future plans include extending support to reach more families through both dyslexia screening and tutoring, as well as increasing focus on adults in the workplace. This will include supporting further research and recommendations to strengthen understanding of dyslexia and improve inclusion across employment.
Mr Paphitis said:
“I struggled at school without the support I needed. I knew I was just as capable as my peers, but reading and writing were daily challenges. No young person should face the same hurdles. We must empower the next generation - so that dyslexia doesn’t limit anyone’s life.”
Beyond fundraising, Mr Paphitis has led by example in the workplace. Ryman has become a dyslexia-friendly employer, completing BDA training and embedding inclusive practices across the business. This approach recognises and celebrates the strengths of dyslexic thinking - from creativity and innovation to problem-solving and resilience.
Mr Paphitis has also used his platform to influence change at a national level. In 2025, he wrote the foreword to the BDA report Set Up for Somebody Else, which explores the experiences of young people with dyslexia and sets out recommendations to strengthen support in education. He also delivered the opening address at a parliamentary event linked to the report, supporting constructive dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders.
His commitment extends to direct engagement with young people and educators. During a primary school visit in Croydon alongside the BDA, he worked with pupils to demonstrate reading techniques, encouraging confidence and participation among children who found reading challenging.
As a successful entrepreneur who speaks openly about his own dyslexia, Mr Paphitis continues to challenge stigma and champion the value of neurodiversity. Through media, public speaking, national campaigns and personal outreach - including writing to over 300 teachers who completed BDA-accredited training - he has helped to build understanding and inspire change.
Theo Paphitis’s appointment as Vice President reflects not only his sustained personal commitment, but also the breadth of his contribution across education, employment and public life. His work continues to advance the BDA’s mission to create a more inclusive society where people with dyslexia can thrive.