. 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. As a sole trader and not having to file accounts at Companies House, little was known about him. They had split up and then they got back together some years ago. He built it up from a single shop in Maidenhead, Berkshire, into one of the nation's most successful. Linda moved Simon, currently director of five businesses including a textile wholesaler and soft furnishings manufacturer, into her two Totteridge mansions and in 2004 the couple had a son, Tyler. It needs a board that is capable of standing up to him so that the normal checks and balances that apply to most companies are in place.. In his statement, Ashley stated "I have listened to you. Sports Direct's trophy assets include the prestigious Lillywhites sportswear emporium at Piccadilly Circus, and world-famous brands including Dunlop, Everlast and Slazenger. 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. EXCLUSIVE: Head teacher of leading grammar school is sacked for sending parents a list of striking teachers. This could lead to Mr Murray becoming a multimillionaire, if he is successful. Mrs Ashley told a luxury lifestyle magazine: 'We've had a few good parties here. He's happy, she's happy, and to the amazement of people who know them, Mike and Linda are now getting back together.'. It is an extraordinary turnaround for Mr Ashley, 51, who was said to have been heartbroken after the 2002 split with his wife of 14 years. 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. [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 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. Sports Direct shareholders urge fair play as Mike Ashley's games go on Sports Direct's interim report also revealed a 57% slump in half-year profits to 71.6 million, despite a 14.2% rise in revenue to 1.63 billion. How remorseless Stephen Bear continued his arrogant antics up until Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline, Do not sell or share my personal information. When the daily grind gets too much, the Ashleys have not one but four Spanish hideaways in which to sip sangria. Matilda is Ashley's youngest daughter. Even the Ashleys animals get the luxury treatment. Find a location > All Champs Sports Stores > California > San Leandro > Champs Sports He has amassed an enormous retail . Ashley was also forced to defend himself in January after he gave his daughter's boyfriend a 10 million loan on behalf of the company and a high-powered job managing property for Sports Direct. 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. She lives with boyfriend of five years Michael Murray, 27, in a 10.7 million house in Knightsbridge and its he who seems to be the breadwinner, thanks to a little help from Daddy. He entered the department store industry following the acquisition of House of Fraser post-administration in 2018. The most opulent is a 9.7 million clifftop villa in the swanky resort of Port dAndratx, Majorca, frequented by celebrities with superyachts and off-duty oligarchs. However, there is a limit to his frugality: Mr Ashley has a helicopter to fly between his mansion and the office. 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. Sports Direct chairman criticises 'extreme campaign' as profits fall 57 The first major brand he bought was Donnay. Mike Ashley has three children - two daughters and one son - with ex-wife Linda. Double Take has survived the pandemic with the assistance of cash and loans from Mash Holdings her father's personal company. It will join the fleet of corporate vehicles, which includes a helicopter Mike Ashley uses to fly to work. Mike Ashley's company owns the rightsto SportFX for clothing, footwear and sports equipment. While Linda's jet-set personal life sounds idyllic, some of her more recent business ventures appear to have hit some obstacles. [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]. He is known to prefer casual dress of shirt and chinos or a track suit rather than a suit, and often carries his essential business tool of a mobile phone in a plastic carrier bag rather than a briefcase. Shaped to resemble a seagull's wing, the house has a 'party-cave' built on the site of a former disco. Murray is a director at Mash Services, a new vehicle linked to Ashleys main company Mash Holdings, as well as McGrove Developments, Ashleys new property group, and Strawberry Place Newcastle Limited, which owns land next to Newcastle Uniteds football stadium and plans to develop offices, student homes and a hotel. Glamorous: Mrs Ashley is an interior designer from Sweden and the couple are believed to have married in Gothenburg in the late 1980s. compared conditions at its Shirebrook warehouse to a Victorian workhouse, deal that Sports Direct struck with Barlin Delivery. Mike is also a keen gambler. The 26-year-old is still listed as a shareholder in a party promotion business, TM Bars Limited, which he set up with Mr Mullins. How much is Sports Direct supremo Mike Ashley worth? In its last financial year, Sports Direct earned profits of 10.3m from the buying and selling of property. Much like Petra and Tamara Ecclestone, the cosseted daughters of Formula 1 boss Bernie, the Ashleys children, Anna, Matilda and Ollie, lead a life others could only dream of. A. Market Report: Sports World owner grabs stake in John David, "Personal finance How to grow your wealth and spend less money", "Mike Ashley wins high court battle over '15m pub deal', "Sports Direct U-turns on opening after backlash", "Billionaire Ashley launches Newcastle takeover", "Premier League side Newcastle re-appoint Kevin Keegan as their new manager", "Premier League Magpies warned after Keegan exit", "Newcastle United ordered to pay Kevin Keegan 2million in damages", "Boss Chris Hughton sacked by Newcastle United", "Chris Hughton not treated 'decently' by Mike Ashley Lord Alan Sugar", "Derek Llambias resigns as managing director of Newcastle United", "Lee Charnley Appointed Managing Director", "Who is Lee Charnley? Ashley appointed Joe Kinnear to take temporary full-time charge of the squad as he began his search for a new owner. [56], Mike Ashley has since been engaged in various legal battles with the Premier League,[57][58] after Newcastle United released a statement saying that "the club and its owners do not accept that Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and the Premier League have acted appropriately" in relation to their conducting of the Owners' and Directors' Test. [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. "[41] The move to withdraw the sale proved questionable among many as he had stated little more than a week before that he regretted the purchase of the club and felt he never had the required stance and knowledge to own a football club. Mom who lost both sons to fentanyl blasts laughing Biden, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' In August, Sports Direct was found. 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. But he has now set up a London-based online radio station. The couple are said to have met in their early twenties when the Sports Direct mogul was a squash coach and had set up his first sports shop. According to reports, Matilda is also the proud owner of a top-of-the-range 130,000 horsebox, complete with DVD player, to transport horses she rides at a 800-a-month livery stables in. Join Facebook to connect with Matilda Ashley and others you may know. Hellawell said the directors accepted responsibility for our shortcomings, but there has also been disproportionate, inaccurate and misleading commentary. Lee Charnley was quietly announced as his successor in 2014. Kinnear however suffered heart trouble the following month and was given leave by the club to recover. They would get caterers in and have a marquee. 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. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more. Friends say Ashley adores her and always has. The comments below have not been moderated. [70] The group initially bought 46 leisure clubs and 31 retail outlets from DW Sports Fitness for 37 million to merge with its own business. Chairman Keith Hellawell, a former police chief who has been widely criticised by shareholders, said an extreme political, union and media campaign waged against this company had damaged its reputation, influenced customers and had a negative impact on the morale of Sports Directs staff. 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.. For her 50th birthday in June, Linda spent 1 million on an opulent bash at her Majorcan mansion. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. This year, the former nightclub promoter was appointed to a consultancy role in a new 250 million property arm of Sports Direct. 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. Oliver Parry, senior corporate governance adviser at the IoD, said: Although it is ultimately up to each individual company to determine who they appoint to executive roles, shareholders will rightly be concerned about the appointment process surrounding Michael Murray, as well as how he will be remunerated. Meanwhile, Anna's younger sister, Matilda, is listed as a director of a beauty business and until recently lived in a rented four-bed mews house in London's Chelsea. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Nationwide hikes cost of home loans just weeks after cutting Thrills without frills: New five-seater MG5 EV all-electric estate designed with 'keep it simple' maxim in mind, SMALL CAP MOVERS: Baron Oil falls despite upbeat report; Accrol surges after kitchen towels deal with Unilever. [63] Some Rangers supporter groups heavily criticised Ashley and expressed major concern and distrust about his nature and purpose of his intentions. She is engaged to Michael Murray after reportedly meeting him on holiday in Majorca in 2011. She is also a director of a string of companies under the Current Design name, which are listed as liquidated or dissolved at Companies House. 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. Home 1: This is the North London mansion believed to be where Mike Ashley lives - and was seen leaving in his Bentley yesterday, Home 2: A mile away Mrs Ashley is said to live in this mansion, said to be worth around 20million - although one friend says that the couple may live together at weekends, Grand: Mrs Ashley's home is one of London's most prestigious mansions and even has a private golf course in its garden, Distance: Mrs Ashley's public show of support for Mr Ashley was the first public confirmation they are back together but it appears they still live in separate mansions just a mile apart. Mr Ashley's wife and children have the run of the family's private property portfolio, including a seven-bedroom mansion in North London. ', 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. Sports Direct said in a statement: Michael has a consultancy arrangement with the company, is not paid a salary, and is not a director of any company within the Sports Direct Group. His daughter's fiance is preparing to step into his shoes and become chief executive. Oscar Cainer tells all. Boyfriend of Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley's daughter could get Sports Direct, which has 400. We have no doubt that institutional investors will seek assurance and clarity about the nature of the business relationships.. The blonde sisters have model good looks and the wardrobes to match. Derbyshire based group Sports Direct International Plc, with headquarters in Shirebrook, has over 400 UK stores including the chains Sports World, Lillywhites (acquired in 2002) and Gilesports. 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. Neil Craven, Financial Mail on Sunday
He adores her and always has. He now lives with Miss Ashley in a flat in Chelsea, just a stones throw from Harrods and not far from where Mr Ashley made a 200m investment in John Lewiss former Peter Jones warehouse. As well as indulging Ashley's love of football, the couple are known for spending their spare time hosting lavish parties, and Mike is also a keen gambler. Government pushed to ease rule stopping 'pension recycling' for tax gain - as critics say it harms older people MARKET REPORT: Airline stocks fly higher as German carrier Lufthansa returns to profit after torrid time during 'The Beast' British-built Rolls-Royce appears on Top Gear in 1998, TikToker reveals Asda to leave your vehicle smelling 'lovely', Skoda gives drivers tips on how to travel with dogs, Dacia's new Jogger estate transforms interior space into a bedroom, See Prince Philip's Land Rover that sold for record amount. Mr Ashley was previously executive deputy chairman of the retail group - which changed its name from Sports Direct International to Frasers Group two years ago - until 2016, when long-serving. The now 31-year-old was later promoted and took on the responsibility of the group's shop opening and refurbishment plans. Its now thought to be worth 25 million. By
Previous gigs include playing for Saudi royalty in Dubai, and in 2014 he set up an internet radio station, called Radar Radio. This, too, was conveniently (if a little bizarrely) located on the same road as the family home and Mikes pad in leafy North London, where neighbours include Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and members of boyband One Direction. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Estate agent records show the home was let out in March for 3,250 a week. Under this measure, Murray could collect up to 2.58m in remuneration. Matilda launched her Double Take firm in 2015. Having studied at a trendy London music school, Mikes son, Ollie, 26, works as a DJ, by the name of DJ Exotica. A spokesman for the Ashley family did not comment last night. Loss of a community stalwart: Owner of Ricky's bar in San Leandro dies 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 company has suspended its planned share buyback until further notice. Boyfriend of Mike Ashley's daughter in line for Sports Direct millions Birthday: September 9, 1964 ( Virgo) Born In: Burnham 7 5 Business People #328 Quick Facts British Celebrities Born In September Also Known As: Michael James Wallace Mike Ashley Age: 58 Years, 58 Year Old Males Family: Spouse/Ex-: Linda Ashley siblings: John Ashley children: Anna Ashley, Matilda Ashley, Oliver Ashley British Men Virgo Entrepreneurs They now live in a multimillion pound mansion in London's posh Belgravia. 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. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies.