Philip Day

$1.20 B

Ranked #1867 in World

About Philip Day

British billionaire businessman Philip Day, the CEO and owner of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, has a net worth of £1.1 billion as of May 2020 according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Rising from humble beginnings on a council estate in Stockport, Day's industrious early life led him to reject university for a career that quickly escalated from Coats Viyella to becoming the Joint Managing Director of Aquascutum at 28. His acquisition of Edinburgh Woollen Mill in 2002 for £67.5 million marked the beginning of an expansive career that saw the incorporation of several brands, including Peacocks and Jaeger, into his portfolio. Notably, Day invested £200 million into Peacocks, significantly contributing to his success. Beyond his business ventures, Day's philanthropic efforts include owning a wildlife sanctuary and backing Carlisle United F.C. Married to Debra since 1990, Day now resides in Dubai, significantly limiting his time in the UK. Despite his achievements, his career has been marred by legal issues, including a £450,000 fine for environmental damage.

Born

October 01, 1965

Age

60 years

Source Of Wealth

Clothing Retail

Industries

Fashion & Retail

Citizenship

United Kingdom

Residence

Carlisle

Spouse

Debra Day (Married: 1990)

Children

Philip Day, a British billionaire businessman, CEO, and owner of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, was born in October 1965. He grew up on a council estate in Stockport, England. To support his family, Day worked part-time jobs, including at his parents' newsagents shop. Despite receiving offers from universities, Day turned them down and began his career at Coats Viyella and Wensum.

Philip Day: Family

Philip Day has been married to Debra since 1990. They have two daughters, Lauren and Kirstie. Lauren joined the EWM Group board in 2016, while Kirstie won Miss Cumbria in 2010. Day's family has been involved in his business ventures, with Kirstie receiving attention for an incident where staff were allegedly ordered to vote for her in the Miss England competition.

Philip Day: Career Highlights

Day's career took a significant turn when he was headhunted to join Aquascutum at the age of 28, where he eventually became Joint Managing Director. In 2001, he left Aquascutum and joined Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM), where he led a buyout backed by Rutland Fund Management. In 2002, Day acquired EWM for £67.5 million with the backing of Bank of Scotland.

Under Day's leadership, EWM expanded rapidly through a series of acquisitions. In 2008, the company bought Ponden Mill and Rosebys, which were rebranded as Ponden Home. The following year, EWM acquired ProQuip for £750,000. In 2011, Day made a notable acquisition by purchasing Jane Norman from administration.

Day's success continued with the acquisition of Austin Reed and Country Casuals from administration in 2016. In 2017, he acquired Jaeger from administration, further expanding EWM's portfolio of brands. In 2019, Day's company, Spectre Holdings, acquired 93% of Bonmarche.

Philip Day: Companies

Philip Day is the CEO and owner of The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, which encompasses various retail brands. Some of the notable companies within the group include:

Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Ponden Home
ProQuip
Jane Norman
Austin Reed
Country Casuals
Jaeger
Bonmarche
Peacocks
Days Department Stores

Philip Day: Major Achievements

Day's major achievements include leading successful turnarounds of struggling retail brands.

His acquisition of Peacocks out of administration in 2012 was a significant milestone, with Day investing £200 million of his own money. EWM bought 338 stores and planned to open 50 more, contributing to Day's overall success.

Another notable achievement was the launch of Days Department Stores in 2017. The first store opened in a former BHS premises in Carmarthen, with plans to expand to over 50 stores. These stores stock products from EWM brands.

Philip Day: Awards & Achievements

Philip Day has received recognition for his business acumen and contributions to the retail industry. Some of his notable awards include:

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2006)
Retail Week Awards - Retail Leader of the Year (2017)
Drapers Awards - Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)

Philip Day: Personal Life & Legacy

Day owns Edmond Castle in Brampton, Cumbria, and is known for his interest in shooting, particularly pheasant and duck. Despite not being a football fan, he is the main financial backer of Carlisle United F.C.

Day's legacy is marked by his successful business ventures and his commitment to philanthropy. He owns a wildlife sanctuary in Scotland focused on endangered Scottish wildlife and also owns the largest green energy Anaerobic Digester in the UK.

Philip Day: Trivia

Philip Day lives in Dubai and spends less than 10 days a year in the UK.
He was fined £450,000 and ordered to pay costs for clearing part of Gelt Woods for a pheasant shoot.
A negligence claim against his solicitors was dismissed by the High Court in 2021.
Day was charged with driving without due care and attention in 2014.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 1965

Philip Day is born in Stockport, England.

Early 1980s

Day works part-time jobs, including at his parents' newsagents shop.

Mid-1980s

Day turns down university and starts his career at Coats Viyella and Wensum.

1993

Day is headhunted to join Aquascutum at the age of 28 and becomes Joint Managing Director.

2001

Day leaves Aquascutum and joins Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM).

2002

Day leads a buyout of EWM backed by Rutland Fund Management.

2002

Day acquires EWM for £67.5 million with Bank of Scotland backing.

2008

EWM buys Ponden Mill and Rosebys, rebranding them as Ponden Home.

2009

Day buys ProQuip for £750,000.

2011

Day acquires Jane Norman from administration.

2012

Day acquires Peacocks out of administration.

2012

Day invests £200 million of his own money into Peacocks.

2012

EWM buys 338 Peacocks stores and plans to open 50 more.

2016

Day acquires Austin Reed and Country Casuals from administration.

2017

Day acquires Jaeger from administration.

2017

Day announces the launch of Days Department Stores.

2017

The first Days Department Store opens in Carmarthen, Wales.

2019

Day's company, Spectre Holdings, acquires 93% of Bonmarche.

2021

A negligence claim against Day's solicitors is dismissed by the High Court.

Philip Day : FAQs

What is Philip Day's net worth?

As of 2018, Philip Day's net worth was $1.20 billion.

What are Philip Day's main sources of wealth?

Philip Day's main source of income comes from Clothing Retail.

In which industry does Philip Day primarily operate?

Philip Day is primarily involved in the Fashion & Retail industry.

How old is Philip Day?

Philip Day is 60 years old.

How many children does Philip Day have?

Philip Day has 3 children.

How did Philip Day start his career before becoming a successful businessman?

Philip Day grew up on a council estate in Stockport, worked part-time jobs including at his parents' newsagents shop, and turned down university to start his career at Coats Viyella and Wensum, later being headhunted to join Aquascutum at age 28 as Joint Managing Director.

What significant acquisitions has Philip Day made through The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group?

Under Philip Day's leadership, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group acquired several companies, including Ponden Mill and Rosebys in 2008, ProQuip in 2009, Jane Norman in 2011, Austin Reed and Country Casuals in 2016, Jaeger in 2017, and 93% of Bonmarche in 2019.

What are some philanthropic endeavors undertaken by Philip Day?

Philip Day owns a wildlife sanctuary in Scotland focused on endangered Scottish wildlife, owns the largest green energy Anaerobic Digester in the UK, and is the main financial backer of Carlisle United F.C.

What controversies has Philip Day faced in his career?

Philip Day faced legal issues including being fined £450,000 for clearing part of Gelt Woods for a pheasant shoot, a negligence claim against solicitors dismissed by the High Court in 2021, and being charged with driving without due care and attention in 2014.