Theo Paphitis was born in Cyprus and became chairman of the Ryman retail group.
Paphitis was born in Limassol, Cyprus, in 1959, and moved with his family to the United Kingdom when he was young. He later developed a career in retail and became closely associated with Ryman, the stationery chain founded in London in 1893.
His business interests extended beyond stationery. Paphitis was also linked with retail brands including La Senza and Jane Norman, helping establish him as a major British retail entrepreneur before his television career.
The biographical detail distinguishes Paphitis from other Dragons. Peter Jones was born in Berkshire, while Duncan Bannatyne was born in Scotland. Although all became television investors, their origins and business histories are different.