BILLIONAIRE Mike Ashley is the man behind Sports Direct and a host of other brands. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Security is so tight the fortress can only be seen from the sea. Ashley is the 59th richest person in Britain, and has an estimated fortune of 2.995billion, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
admitting the company has become too big for him to control solely. The Ashleys love to celebrate their vast wealth, and during their marriage were known for hosting parties at the family home. She is engaged to Michael Murray after reportedly meeting him on holiday in Majorca in 2011. The blonde sisters have model good looks and the wardrobes to match. The parents who fear their 11-year-olds will be scarred for life by the graphic sex education lessons that Two Insulate Britain protesters are jailed for contempt of court after they defied a judge's orders not to 'Derek fights on, it makes me fall in love with him all over again:' Kate Garraway reveals there are days French authorities fear 'narco-tourists' could flock to Normandy beaches after 'more than two tonnes of Hopes for cervical cancer vaccine after trials in mice showed it reduced tumours 80 per cent of the time. Mike prides himself in shunning Armani suits for cheap High Street tracksuits and carries his mobile phone in a plastic bag. The comments below have not been moderated. But recently shes upped the stakes. Last year, bankrolled by her father, she set up cosmetics firm Sport FX. Mr Ashley's Frasers Group said it would buy 46 leisure clubs and 31 retail outlets from DW Sports Fitness for 37m to merge with its own business. An undercover Guardian investigation last year exposed how Sports Direct workers were being paid less than the minimum wage. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Sprawling home where JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for $7 MILLION by current Royal Mail increase price of first class stamp by 15p to 1.10 in record-breaking hike. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Join Facebook to connect with Matilda Ashley and others you may know. The Equicruiser Super Luxury 7.5T sleeps six, has its own kitchen, TV and DVD player and enough room for two animals to travel. He built it up from a single shop in Maidenhead, Berkshire, into one of the nation's most successful retailers and holds a 55 per cent stake in the company, currently valued at around 1.4 billion. [38], In January 2009, it was reported that interim manager Joe Kinnear had been offered a full-time position at the club by Ashley. Michael James Wallace Ashley (born 9 September 1964) is a British billionaire retail entrepreneur focused in the sporting goods market, and the chief executive of Frasers Group Plc (formerly Sports Direct International). Mike Ashley has three children - two daughters and one son - with ex-wife Linda. Matilda is Ashley's youngest daughter. A leg-up from Mike Ashley for daughter's beauty firm 2021-07-25 - By Neil Craven SPORTS DIRECT tycoon Mike Ashley has pledged financial support for his daughter's cosmetics company following its fifth consecutive year of losses. Mr Ashley has another daughter, Matilda, aged 20. After their divorce, Linda kept the home and Mike moved into a 33-room pillared mansion down the road, bought in 2005 for 12 million. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Looking for Matilda Ashley online? The couple previously lived in a nearby three-storey mews house, which was bought by Mr Ashley's youngest daughter, Matilda, for 5.1m four months ago. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Now we step inside the breathtakingly extravagant world of the Flashy Ashleys . As far as I know they're doing really well.'. Since Sports Direct International Plc went public, and his purchase of Newcastle United where he took to sitting in the stands with fans, Ashley took on a more public and accessible persona. Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Even the Ashleys animals get the luxury treatment. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. [25] On 31 May, it was reported that the Newcastle board were considering Ashley's offer. He entered the department store industry following the acquisition of House of Fraser post-administration in 2018. On 2 October 2009, a Premier League arbitration panel found the club guilty of "constructive dismissal" and Mike Ashley was made to pay Kevin Keegan 2,000,000 compensation plus interest for his mistreatment during the time at the club. Hardly an auspicious start for a man whose personal fortune now tops 2.4 billion. The company already has its own helicopter, a fleet of vehicles and also owns an inn in Worksop. This week the billionaire Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley was forced to admit to paying some staff less than the minimum wage as he was accused of subjecting them to 'Victorian' working conditions. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. Shes more of a party girl enjoying holidays on chartered yachts in the Mediterranean and jaunts to St Tropez, Miami and Magaluf with a close-knit group of friends. Following Derek Llambias' resignation as managing director in 2013,[48] Ashley briefly took on his position whilst trying to find a replacement. [63] Some Rangers supporter groups heavily criticised Ashley and expressed major concern and distrust about his nature and purpose of his intentions. Speaking on Radio 4s Today programme, Simon Walker, director general of the Institute of Directors, said the company was making changes, but that they did not go far enough. Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley pledges financial support for daughter's cosmetics company following its fifth consecutive year of losses. Of course, going out with the boss's daughter is a tried-and-tested route to career advancement. Mike Ashley, pictured outside Sports Direct HQ in Derbyshire, received help from his parents to buy his first shop. Even worse, many such slurs aren't from men but 'I couldn't do it without you': Victoria Beckham poses with her whole family after her PFW show - as she Brooklyn Beckham puts on a loved-up display with wife Nicola Peltz as they head back to hotel after Cruz Beckham supports his mother Victoria as he carrying his very own VB handbag on the way to her show Like father, like daughter! However, Sports Direct added that it is also about to take delivery of a new corporate plane, worth $51.1m (40m). A member of staff revealed: The finest champagne, wine and food are being delivered. Prince Andrew has 'offered to manage prestigious Royal estates including Balmoral but King Charles has told PLATELL'S PEOPLE: Yes, Madonna toyboys are fun but not if you value your dignity. His eldest daughter Anna is married to Michael Murray, who has an influential role at Ashley's Sports Direct to House of Fraser retail empire. Ashley HomeStore - East Bay Bridge. Mrs Ashley has a lavish seven-bedroom house and two properties for staff boasting a further four bedrooms. He is at risk of being categorised as a de facto or shadow director under existing guidelines, making him subject to the same duties and liabilities as Sports Directs board. [11] In mid-2006, it was also revealed that Ashley had held talks with John Hargreaves, founder of Matalan on both taking a 25% stake in the retail business and installing mezzanine floors in larger Matalan stores, on which Sports World outlets could be operated. On 26 July 2017, Mr Justice Leggatt ruled that Ashley won a high court battle over investment banker Jeffrey Blue's allegation that during a "night of heavy drinking" at the Horse and Groom pub in London, Ashley agreed to pay Blue 15 million if Sport Direct's shares doubled to 8. Shareholders were outraged by the apparent nepotism which some said could see Michael earning as much as 2.5 million a year. Among his fleet of expensive cars are a black Bentley, a BMW 7 Series and a champagne-coloured Aston Martin DB4 with cream interior, which he bought for Linda as a birthday present. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. [68] In June 2019, The Times reported that Ashley placed a 52 million bid to buy the company. Friends say Ashley adores her and always has. The latter can be worth up to 1 million. [54], On 14 April 2020, it emerged that a request to undertake the Premier League's Owners' and Directors' Test had been filed by a consortium consisting of PCP Capital Partners, Reuben Brothers and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), as the final stage of their 300m bid to purchase ownership of Newcastle United from Mike Ashley. While Murray, a former nightclub promoter, is undoubtedly chuffed with his new role, where it is estimated he could earn as much as 2.5 million a year, this apparently blatant nepotism is unnerving some Sports Direct shareholders. He stated that he regretted buying Newcastle United, but admitted that he was "wedded" to the club. [71], He was educated at Burnham Grammar School in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Murray previously ran student nights in Reading, Berkshire with a friend. [6] In August 2021 Ashley announced that he intended to step down as CEO of Frasers Group Plc in May 2022, but remain a Director of the main Board.[7]. Retro football shirt fever has exploded, says LEE BOYCE: Is it a fightback from fans over expensive replica kits? Previous gigs include playing for Saudi royalty in Dubai, and in 2014 he set up an internet radio station, called Radar Radio. Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley opened his first sports shop nearing four decades ago, depending on his friends and family for support. The company has suspended its planned share buyback until further notice. [42] The club released future plans in the same statement, announcing the club would attempt to sell the club's stadium naming rights to raise funds to clear debts of the club, causing outrage among Newcastle fans across the world who felt the club would lose tremendous heritage with the name of St James' Park changed. The company owns SportFX's cosmetics brand. It will join the fleet of corporate vehicles, which includes a helicopter Mike Ashley uses to fly to work. Murrays remuneration is based solely on creating value, Sports Direct said. Sports Direct's senior executives live locally in a cluster of houses, worth around 400,000 each. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Family of a 10-month-old baby filmed vaping open up, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles. This could lead to Mr Murray becoming a multimillionaire, if he is successful. (Despite this, he has taken on the role of CEO since making those comments.) If I get married again, I'll marry here. In addition, Murrays former home in Chelsea is now owned by Matilda Ashley, the tycoons youngest daughter, who paid 5.1m for the property in September. But Linda, a glamorous property developer and interior designer, is certainly making the most of her husbands bulging wallet. But not even billionaires can travel everywhere by air. By 2006, Sports Direct had more than 150 outlets and owned major brands including Slazenger, Dunlop, Lonsdale, Carlton and Karrimor. Ashley's ownership of the club was initially popular with fans, despite press scorn for his unconventional approach, by installing Chris Mort as chairman to run the club while Ashley acted as one of the fans, drinking in local bars and clubs, and watched the team from the stands with the supporters wearing the team shirt. The neighbourhood wasnt bad: David and Victoria Beckham owned one of the nearby estates. Even worse, many such slurs aren't from men but 'I couldn't do it without you': Victoria Beckham poses with her whole family after her PFW show - as she Brooklyn Beckham puts on a loved-up display with wife Nicola Peltz as they head back to hotel after Cruz Beckham supports his mother Victoria as he carrying his very own VB handbag on the way to her show Like father, like daughter! Neil Craven, Financial Mail on Sunday
[31], On 30 August 2008, Ashley was shown on live television drinking beer while with fans in the away stand during Newcastle's game against Arsenal in London, contravening Premier League licensing rules stating that alcohol may not be consumed in sight of the pitch. Murray bought a property in Belgravia for 10.75m in June 2013 with Ashley lending him money for the deal. [65], On 17 November 2022, Ashley bought the CBS arena, Coventry City's stadium, in an attempt to save the football club from debts. Along the way, Mr Ashley has been dogged with controversy particularly over allegedly 'Dickensian' working conditions at the company's main warehouse in Shirebrook, Nottinghamshire. Inside Matt Hancock's 41-hour battle to save his career when photo of 'a snog and heavy petting' with aide Will Vladimir Putin's empress pay the ultimate price for his war on the West? The main issue was whether the retailers strategic report complied with the Companies Act 2006 requirement to be balanced and comprehensive. I've had enough of life': Grandmother, 86, is reduced to tears after killjoy Tory RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: As Florida governor and Donald Trump rival Ron DeSantis steps up his bid to win the Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers speaks out on his deep depression after chemotherapy which left him having 'How I snatched JK Rowling's baby out of her abusive husband's arms - and helped her flee with the Harry Top equestrian rider, 39, once known as the 'golden girl' of horse eventing, is facing jail after being A possum feared extinct is discovered by an amateur naturalist in Papa New Guinea being cooked on a Now California reparations panel RAISES amount it wants to give 1.8m black people from $220,000 to $360,000 My weekly horoscope: What will March 4th 2023 bring for MY star sign? However, Mr Murray has no property experience, according to Companies House, and his only business acumen is running student party events at Reading University, where he used to study. 10 miles. Sports Direct said in a stock market statement that Murray would not be paid a salary; instead, the 26-year-old has a consultancy arrangement with the company. They would get caterers in and have a marquee. That is what I am now trying to do. Ashley said: The last six months have been tough for our people and performance. 15:11 GMT 25 Jul 2021. Linda was photographed getting into her ex-husbands Bentley as far back as 2011, but only recently has their rekindled relationship been confirmed. Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. , updated The FRC said that Sports Direct had agreed to include more detailed commentary in future reports, and considered the matter "concluded.". His eldest, Anna, is a property developer who also sits on the board of her dad's company Frasers Group - parent. A spokesman for the Ashley family did not comment last night. However, there is a limit to his frugality: Mr Ashley has a helicopter to fly between his mansion and the office. Neil Wilson, senior market analyst at forex and spread-betting firm ETX Capital, said: The company is blaming everyone else and its true that negative PR of this scale is very hard to shake. [18] "He likes to park his tanks on people's lawns", said one banker. Matilda launched her Double Take firm in 2015. Michael Ashley is a billionaire English retailer with a net worth of $6.3 billion. In behaviour similar to the daughters of another swashbuckling business/sporting tycoon Formula 1's Bernie Ecclestone Matilda's social media profiles are full of glamorous selfies. Linda has always been stylish the couples wedding in Gothenburg was a sophisticated affair but as her husbands bank balance has risen, she has developed a taste for expensive designer clothes. Matilda Ashley's company Double Take will get no royalties or other fees until at least September 2019, Sports Direct says, when the terms of the deal will be reassessed. The sports retailer, reeling from a year-long scandal over working practices, said underlying profit before tax slumped to 71.6m from 166.4m in the six months to 23 October. The arrangement is the latest in a string of deals involving Ashley's family members. The budget sportswear retailer has also struck a licensing deal with makeup brand SPORT FX, which is owned by a company where Matilda Ashley is a director. As his wealth exploded their lifestyles are said to have become polar opposites. On 23 May 2007, in a surprise move, Ashley bought Sir John Hall's 41.6% stake in Newcastle United at one pound per share, for a total cost of 55,342,223[25] via his company St James Holdings Ltd. Mrs Ashley told a luxury lifestyle magazine: 'We've had a few good parties here. Instead of opting for a different attire, Ashley chose to take his usual place among the travelling fans for the game. Mr Ashley started Sports Direct 34 years ago with a 10,000 loan from his parents. Sports Direct has launched branded activewear ranges that include collaborations with influencers Gabby Allen a former star of TV reality show Love Island and Chessie King. Double Take a cosmetics company owned by Mike Ashley and where 20-year-old Matilda Ashley is a director is licensing the rights to a beauty brand called Sports FX to Sports Direct. The maximum Murray can be paid is 25% of the increased value. He said: 'I'm here every Wednesday and I see his helicopter fly over most weeks. While he toils away in Shirebrook, his adult children Ollie, 25, Anna, 24, and Matilda, 19, and ex-wife, enjoy a more extravagant existence. On 4 September, Keegan resigned from the club following days of talks with the board of Newcastle United headed by Llambias. [49][50], On the final day of the 201415 season, Ashley gave his first televised interview to Sky Sports, eight years after buying the club. "The board consider it appropriate that Michael leads us forward on this increasingly successful elevation journey.". ', Support: Mr Ashley's friends say he is 'down to earth' and 'warm' away from work - pictured enjoying a pint watching Newcastle United, which he owns. Ashley is the owner of Newcastle United, a Premier League soccer team. We do not write articles to promote products. A gardener who works on another house next door to Mr Ashley's Barnet home said he sees the billionaire's helicopter fly over almost every Wednesday. Party girl Matilda, 19,set up cosmetics firm Sport FX. Mr Murray also hosted his first music festival last July with his business partner and friend from university, Toby Mullins. At the start of each working week, Mike hops in his helicopter a navy AgustaWestland AW109 worth 5 million and flies to the Sports Direct HQ in Derbyshire. For most of the working week, he's at the company's unglamorous nerve-centre in Shirebrook. After considering a takeover, Ashley took a 9million stake and signed a long-term deal with Umbro. His eldest, Anna, is a property developer who also sits on the board of her dad's company Frasers Group - parent. So, Mike Ashley, can we handle the truth? He was formerly the owner of Newcastle United football club, having bought it for 135million in 2007 until selling the club in October 2021. His own son, Ollie, is said to have done a short stint of work at Sports Direct. In its last financial year, Sports Direct earned profits of 10.3m from the buying and selling of property. But sums like this are small change to Mike, 52 as he showed when he pulled wads of crumpled 50 notes from his pockets during a recent Sports Direct warehouse tour, just months after the company was condemned for subjecting staff to gulag-style conditions, fining latecomers and paying less than the minimum wage. On 1 April, Ashley appointed Alan Shearer to replace Kinnear as interim manager. Mr Ashley's 33-room pillared mansion down the road in London's Beverly Hills has a sweeping drive, four garages and its near-neighbours are said to include Arsene Wenger and several members of One Direction. In August, Sports Direct was found to be paying hundreds of thousands of pounds to a company run by Ashley's brother for making international deliveries on behalf of the retailer. Plastic surgeon reveals five cosmetic procedures she would NEVER get - from dangerous Brazilian butt lifts BEL MOONEY:Why does caring for my dad take over my life? 'I haven't ever seen his wife and I've never seen him in person but I know his helicopter.'. The companys non-executive directors will oversee an independent review every year to decide with their absolute discretion how much he should be paid. There will be an open-air nightclub for guests.. Michael Murray to lead UK and international property team of the controversial sporting retail company. He also bought Newcastle United but many fans are not keen on him. One theory in City circles is that Mr Ashley is grooming Murray to take over the whole company. At any other FTSE 100 company, this would not be tolerated. How Prince Harry's chat with guru who compared Hamas terrorists to Jews who battled the Nazis has appalled JAN MOIR: Goodbye Ken, the world always seemed safer with you on the airwaves, Abstaining from masturbating RAISES risk of anxiety, depression and erectile dysfunction, study warns. You want me out. On 31 January 2010, the BBC North East and Cumbria produced a 30-minute documentary detailing Mike Ashley's business successes and lows. Since then the company has been forced to pay 1m in back pay to staff and offer more staff guaranteed working hours. The property is registered to Mr Murray, which he bought for 10.75m two and a half years ago, with cash lent by Mr Ashley, according to Land Registry documents. Visit Website. Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley outside its headquarters in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. Corporate governance watchdogs criticised Sports Direct, the sporting retailer controlled by Ashley, after the retailer revealed that Michael Murray would lead its UK and international property team. One acquaintance said earlier this year they are 'more together than not' but the tycoon, who is known to work until 2am on many days, refuses to comment. [43] On 4 November, it was announced that Ashley's own company would sponsor the stadium, rebranding it the "sportsdirect.com @ St James' Park Stadium" until the end of the season.[44]. Like her sister, Matilda, 19, has inherited her mothers good looks. The Ashleys have a 5 million house with landscaped gardens, another outdoor pool and staff accommodation in upmarket Totteridge, North London. Reunited:Sports Direct International founder Mike Ashley and his ex-wife Linda, who have rekindled their relationship after their 50million break-up in 2002, New life: Mrs Ashley, the mother of Mike Ashley's three adult children, had a son Tyler, pictured together in 2006, withSimon Brodin, an ex-boyfriend of S Club 7 pop star Rachel Stevens. [27] As of 15 June 2007, Ashley owned a 77.06% stake in Newcastle United, on course to withdraw the club from the stock exchange having surpassed the 75% threshold required. SHARE OF THE WEEK: Darktrace's Poppy Gustafsson faces questions about company's financial health when she As chip designer Arm chooses to float in US Ex-chancellor warns London stock market now 'less attractive'. In 2006, it overtook JJB Sports as the UK's largest sportswear retailer. In its half-year profits update Sports Direct said the Barlin deal was entered into under market terms, and makes good commercial sense. Ashley's actions and subsequent media coverage of fan reaction saw the creation of a new organisation, the Newcastle United Supporters Club, to properly represent fan's views to any future board. Its products sold in her fathers stores include 24.99 mesh leggings and 9.99 sports mascara. 'Mike Ashley is only 51 and will have no desire to step down for a long time,' said one City insider. For her 50th birthday in June, Linda spent 1 million on an opulent bash at her Majorcan mansion. Prince Andrew has 'offered to manage prestigious Royal estates including Balmoral but King Charles has told PLATELL'S PEOPLE: Yes, Madonna toyboys are fun but not if you value your dignity. WHEN Mike Ashley met his wife, Linda, a swedish-born economics graduate, in 1986, he was a lowly squash coach working in a sports shop in Maidenhead. Under the terms of UK takeover law, having purchased more than 30% of a listed company, he was obliged to make an offer to buy the remaining shares at the same or a greater price. Lee Charnley was quietly announced as his successor in 2014. Ashley is the 59th richest person in Britain, and has an estimated fortune of 2.995billion, according to The Sunday Times Rich List. He used to work as a nightclub promotor before overseeing his future father-in-law's personal property portfolio. At the meeting Dave Whelan, the founder of JJB Sports, reportedly told Ashley: "There's a club in the north, son, and you're not part of it."[24]. People used to crash out overnight on the sofas, she adds. Mike pumped cash into Oliver's debt-ridden radio business in 2016 while paying his Sports Direct workers less than the minimum wage. Double Take - a cosmetics company owned by Mike Ashley and where 20-year-old Matilda Ashley is a director - is licensing the rights to a beauty brand called Sports FX to Sports Direct.. Her billionaire father also clearly has a soft spot for her partner, and has taken the role of indulgent 'father-in-law' to a new level, by giving Murray a key consultancy role on a new 250 million property arm within his sportswear empire. [8][9], The chain, funded by private money, expanded quickly and by the late 1990s Ashley had rebranded the chain as Sports Soccer and opened over 100 stores across the United Kingdom. Interest also mounted around the feasibility of a fan buyout of the club, seeing the launch of the Newcastle Fans United group. Murray is the boyfriend of Anna Ashley, the tycoons eldest daughter. Sporting a mahogany tan and freshly cut bouffant blonde hair, she wore diamond jewellery and showed off toned legs in a short white dress and laced ankle boots. Billionaire Mike also owns Newcastle United football club. 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