Which Dragons' Den investor acquired the stationery retailer Ryman in 1995?

Theo Paphitis acquired the British stationery retailer Ryman in 1995, an important step in the business career that later brought him to Dragons' Den.

Paphitis was born in Cyprus and moved to the United Kingdom as a child. He built experience in retail and entrepreneurship before taking control of Ryman, which had been established as a stationery business in London in the nineteenth century. Under his ownership, the chain became a prominent high-street stationery retailer.

He later became associated with a wider retail portfolio, including Robert Dyas and La Senza in the United Kingdom. Paphitis joined Dragons' Den as an investor and became known for his direct questioning and interest in practical consumer businesses.

The date is sometimes mixed up with the dates of his later acquisitions. Ryman was the company he acquired in 1995; it was not founded by him, despite his strong association with the brand.