Dragon Theo Paphitis acquired the Ryman stationery chain in 1995.
Paphitis was already an established entrepreneur when he bought Ryman, a British stationery retailer founded in the nineteenth century. Under his ownership, the business expanded its retail presence and became one of the best-known names in UK stationery.
Ryman is often confused with WHSmith because both operate high-street shops selling stationery, books and office supplies. They are separate companies with different corporate histories. Paphitis later became widely recognised through his appearances as an investor on BBC television’s Dragons’ Den.
His wider business interests have included retail, property and consumer brands. The Ryman acquisition is a particularly important milestone because it helped establish his public reputation as a retailer before his television career made him familiar to a much larger audience.