Retail Influencers & Keynote Speakers

Theo Paphitis, born in Cyprus in 1959, is a prominent retail entrepreneur and business leader. He left school at 16 years old to begin his career at Lloyds of London before moving into retail, where he found his passion and went on to revitalise brands including Ryman, Robert Dyas and La Senza. He co-purchased Red Letter Days in 2005, later selling it successfully and founded Boux Avenue in 2011.  His Theo Paphitis Retail Group spans around 300 stores and 4,000 employees.  

A former Chairman of Millwall Football Club, Theo is also known for his many years on BBC’s Dragons’ Den.  As he is dyslexic himself, Theo is a strong advocate for dyslexia awareness and recently became the Vice President of the British Dyslexia Association.  

Theo is also a small business champion through his #SBS Small Business Sunday Community of 5,000 entrepreneurs that has been running since 2010, and recently became Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Derby.