Theo Paphitis

Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis in 2012
Born (1959-09-24) 24 September 1959 (age 65)
Limassol, British Cyprus
NationalityCypriot
Citizenship
Occupations
  • Retail Magnate
  • Entrepreneur
Known for
Spouse
Debbie Stocker
​
(m. 1978)​
Children5
Chancellor of Solent University
Incumbent
Assumed office
11 October 2018
Preceded byAlan West
Websitewww.theopaphitis.com

Theodoros Paphitis (Greek: Θεόδωρος Παφίτης; born 24 September 1959) is a Greek-Cypriot British retail magnate and entrepreneur. He is best known 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.

According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2020, Paphitis is worth £290 million.[1]

In May 2018, Solent University in Southampton named Paphitis as their new Chancellor.[2] Paphitis was inaugurated as the university's Chancellor on 11 October 2018. He will serve a minimum of three years. Paphitis succeeded Lord West of Spithead.[3]

  1. ^ "Theo Paphitis reveals he lost his mother to coronavirus". Cyprus Mail. 2 October 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Dragons' Den star to become Hampshire university's new chancellor". Daily Echo. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Celebrity entrepreneur Theo Paphitis is new chancellor of Solent University". Daily Echo. Retrieved 12 October 2018.