Which Dragon's Den investor bought the stationery retailer Ryman in 1995?

Theo Paphitis bought the stationery retailer Ryman in 1995.

Theo Paphitis is a British-Cypriot entrepreneur who became known for building and acquiring retail businesses. His purchase of Ryman, a high-street stationery chain, was an important stage in the expansion of his business portfolio before he became a Dragon on the BBC programme.

Paphitis later became an investor on Dragon's Den, where his retail experience shaped the types of pitches he examined. He was particularly associated with questions about stores, margins, branding and the practical realities of selling products to consumers.

The acquisition date is sometimes mixed up with his time on television. Ryman was acquired in 1995, whereas Paphitis joined the Dragon's Den panel later, appearing from the programme's second series. The retail company therefore predates his television role by several years.