Founder, Boux Avenue

Theo Paphitis Founder Boux Avenue

Better known as a television personality than a retailer these days, Theo Paphitis was behind one of the biggest retail launches of recent years when he set up new lingerie outfit Boux Avenue this year.

The chain has opened in a raft of top shopping centres and online and aims to fill the space between the youthful ranges of La Senza - which he previously owned - and Marks &Spencer’s universal but rather functional appeal.

It’s too early to judge its success but the sensitive Paphitis isn’t one to tolerate failure. He’s defied the odds by turning Ryman into a consistently solid performer.