We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Aware of her husbands love of football (he did spend 135 million buying Newcastle United), Mrs Ashley even arranged for a number of big screens to show Englands Euro 2016 match. Mike made headlines in 2008 after a wild party at a New York nightclub saw him spend 125,000 on alcohol, including 450 bottles of champagne and a 30,000 tip. Murray bought a property in Belgravia for 10.75m in June 2013 with Ashley lending him money for the deal. According to The Sunday Times Rich List in 2021, Ashley is the 61st richest person in the UK with an estimated net worth of 2.718 billion. Ashley is the 59th richest person in Britain, and has an estimated fortune of 2.995billion, according to The Sunday Times Rich List. Mike prides himself in shunning Armani suits for cheap High Street tracksuits and carries his mobile phone in a plastic bag. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. [28] 100% acquisition was achieved in July with Ashley paying a total of around 134million to buy the club. [33] Keegan drove to Manchester to consult with the League Managers Association chief-executive Richard Bevan; while in this meeting it is thought Ashley found out from Llambias of the row and attempted to contact Keegan. Mike Ashley has three children - two daughters and one son - with ex-wife Linda. Prince Andrew has 'offered to manage prestigious Royal estates including Balmoral but King Charles has told PLATELL'S PEOPLE: Yes, Madonna toyboys are fun but not if you value your dignity. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Read more Sports Direct has already scored its first own goal of the year, Boyfriend of Mike Ashley's daughter in line for Sports Direct millions, Extra 10% Nike discount code for students, 20% off selected items with this Footasylum discount code, 15% off when you sign up - New Balance newsletter discount, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Like her sister, Matilda, 19, has inherited her mothers good looks. Mr Ashley once presenting his wife Linda with a stunning Aston Martin DB4. According to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, a person can be categorised as a de facto director if they are negotiating with third parties on behalf of the board. Mr Ashley's Frasers Group said it would buy 46 leisure clubs and 31 retail outlets from DW Sports Fitness for 37m to merge with its own business. Hardly an auspicious start for a man whose personal fortune now tops 2.4 billion. [51] With Steve McClaren's appointment as head coach, Ashley stepped down from the Newcastle United board of directors. Interest also mounted around the feasibility of a fan buyout of the club, seeing the launch of the Newcastle Fans United group. Feeling flush after the divorce, Linda spent 6 million building another house in 2006: a seven-bedroom abode with a cinema, gym, spa, sauna, bowling alley and golf course out the back. Following Derek Llambias' resignation as managing director in 2013,[48] Ashley briefly took on his position whilst trying to find a replacement. Drivers face fuel-guzzling 52-mile trip so council can fix just 546 yards of road. However, Mr Murray has no property experience, according to Companies House, and his only business acumen is running student party events at Reading University, where he used to study. One theory in City circles is that Mr Ashley is grooming Murray to take over the whole company. 'After they got back together he used to come round on a Friday night and stay the weekend and then she would visit him. How remorseless Stephen Bear continued his arrogant antics up until Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline, Do not sell or share my personal information. The house appears to be on the market at the moment - and some newspapers have suggested that Mr and Mrs Ashley could marry again. The companys non-executive directors will oversee an independent review every year to decide with their absolute discretion how much he should be paid. [60], In October 2014, Ashley owned an 8.92% stake in Rangers International Football Club (RIFC), the parent company of Scottish football club Rangers. His eldest, Anna, is a property developer who also sits on the board of her dad's company Frasers Group - parent. [64] On 23 June 2017, Ashley sold his entire Rangers shareholding to Club 1872 and Julian Wolhardt. Management meetings are frequently held in the nearby Lion Hotel, and can last until 3am. The house, formerly owned by pop impresario Mickie Most, has four garages, a cinema and indoor and outdoor pools. Neighbours who say the first thing Ashley did was raise the security gates and surrounding walls are still getting used to his garish Christmas display. A friend told MailOnline he believes the couple are back together after years of separation - often living apart during the week but spending the weekends together. Never mind that most of the tracksuits and training shoes he sells are worn by unsporty couch-potatoes rather than gym bunnies, or that the rough-diamond entrepreneur has been nicknamed The Chav King of the High Street. At the meeting Dave Whelan, the founder of JJB Sports, reportedly told Ashley: "There's a club in the north, son, and you're not part of it."[24]. She and her daughter Anna, who both describe themselves as property developers, are also listed as directors of a company called RAAA, which has also been dissolved. He stated that he would sell up, but only when the club had won a trophy, quickly reiterating that qualifying for the Champions League would also count. A Newcastle United statement declared that Ashley had been given the beer and told that it was non-alcoholic despite the fact that Arsenal do not sell non-alcoholic beer at their stadium. For her 50th birthday in June, Linda spent 1 million on an opulent bash at her Majorcan mansion. At any other FTSE 100 company, this would not be tolerated. The latter can be worth up to 1 million. How much is Sports Direct supremo Mike Ashley worth? After their divorce interior designer Mrs Ashley, who is mother of the billionaire's three children, went on to have a relationship with businessman Simon Brodin, an ex-boyfriend of S Club 7 pop star Rachel Stevens, and had a son, Tyler, now 12, by him. [52], Ten months later, and with the departure of McClaren and the arrival of Rafael Bentez, Ashley gave another interview. Just a couple of days later, the company made a U-turn on this decision, announcing that they would be closing until given the green light to reopen by the government. Accompanying him to the business select committee meeting to face MPs questions about Sports Direct back in June, Mrs Ashley showed off her new polished look. [40], On 27 October, Ashley took Newcastle United off the market after again failing to find a suitable buyer for the club. Neil Craven, Financial Mail on Sunday, Tycoons who built Asos into a 5bn empire: Shares in the online retailer surge after it snaps up Topshop and Miss Selfridge, Mike Ashley's Frasers to buy back 60m of its own shares despite warning of 200m hit from Covid. Murray is a director at Mash Services, a new vehicle linked to Ashleys main company Mash Holdings, as well as McGrove Developments, Ashleys new property group, and Strawberry Place Newcastle Limited, which owns land next to Newcastle Uniteds football stadium and plans to develop offices, student homes and a hotel. By As part of the original flotation agreement, each key senior management team would receive the same bonus and pay while employed by Sports Direct. Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley pledges financial support for daughter's cosmetics company following its fifth consecutive year of losses. Mrs Ashley has a lavish seven-bedroom house and two properties for staff boasting a further four bedrooms. He's happy, she's happy, and to the amazement of people who know them, Mike and Linda are now getting back together.'. Matilda owns a second Chelsea mews house on an adjoining street, which she bought last September for 5.1 million in cash. [23], Ashley turned whistleblower on industry rivals in 2000, handing the Office of Fair Trading evidence of business meetings held by sports retailers to fix the price of football shirts. The company is reeling from a year rocked by scandal, with allegations of abusive working practices and numerous PR gaffes. This year, the former nightclub promoter was appointed to a consultancy role in a new 250 million property arm of Sports Direct. Shaped to resemble a seagull's wing, the house has a 'party-cave' built on the site of a former disco. [65], On 17 November 2022, Ashley bought the CBS arena, Coventry City's stadium, in an attempt to save the football club from debts. My immediate priority will be to protect the people at Sports Direct.. Both properties are in Linda's name, as is a cliff-top home in Majorca. No further comment has been made. The company said in an announcement to the stock exchange: "The group's elevation strategy is transforming the business and receiving positive feedback from consumers and our brand partners, especially on projects such as the new Oxford Street Sports Direct which opened in June 2021. Sprawling home where JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered in 1996 is listed for sale for $7 MILLION by current Royal Mail increase price of first class stamp by 15p to 1.10 in record-breaking hike. However, there is a limit to his frugality: Mr Ashley has a helicopter to fly between his mansion and the office. On 1 April, Ashley appointed Alan Shearer to replace Kinnear as interim manager. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider He built it up from a single shop in Maidenhead, Berkshire, into one of the nation's most successful retailers and holds a 55 per cent stake in the company, currently valued at around 1.4 billion. However, after the departure of Kevin Keegan as manager and the club's relegation, he has only made low key appearances when attending Newcastle matches. [19], In late November 2006, a number of business newspapers reported that Ashley was looking at an IPO of Sports World International. Get directions, reviews and information for Direct Stone Importers in San Leandro, CA. The main issue was whether the retailers strategic report complied with the Companies Act 2006 requirement to be balanced and comprehensive. 6195 Coliseum Way, Oakland, CA 94621. They previously lived at a mews house in Chelsea, which was sold for 5.7million in cash in September to Miss Ashley's 19-year-old sister Matilda. [59], On 7 October 2021, Mike Ashley sold Newcastle United for 300 million to a consortium involving PCP Capital Partners, RB Sports & Media, and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The Ashleys love to celebrate their vast wealth, and during their marriage were known for hosting parties at the family home. [31], On 30 August 2008, Ashley was shown on live television drinking beer while with fans in the away stand during Newcastle's game against Arsenal in London, contravening Premier League licensing rules stating that alcohol may not be consumed in sight of the pitch. Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Ashley was also forced to defend himself in January after he gave his daughter's boyfriend a 10 million loan on behalf of the company and a high-powered job managing property for Sports Direct. Murray is the boyfriend of Anna Ashley, the tycoons eldest daughter. Previous gigs include playing for Saudi royalty in Dubai, and in 2014 he set up an internet radio station, called Radar Radio. 'Mike Ashley is only 51 and will have no desire to step down for a long time,' said one City insider. But in 2014 Mrs and Mrs Ashley were seen stepping into his Bentley after a series of central London dates, including a key dinner in a local curry house. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. [46][47] Alan Pardew was appointed three days later, before his first game in charge against Liverpool. The most opulent is a 9.7 million clifftop villa in the swanky resort of Port dAndratx, Majorca, frequented by celebrities with superyachts and off-duty oligarchs. But her then husband continued to drive his well-worn Vauxhall Cavalier, but thisdidn't last forever, however, because Mr Ashley traded it in for a new Ford Sierra a few years later. [18] "He likes to park his tanks on people's lawns", said one banker. His eldest, Anna, is a property developer who also sits on the board of her dad's company Frasers Group - parent of Sports Direct, House of Fraser, Flannels, and other retail brands. Ashley appeared to have saved the club from certain financial ruin by paying off large sums of debt inherited from the previous regime,[29] although he was criticised for not doing due diligence when buying the club, as he subsequently revealed he had been unaware of issues such as the upfront payment of club finances such as the Northern Rock sponsorship, and the presence of outstanding liabilities for long past player transfers. He also admitted that 'too many' of his company's agency staff were employed on zero-hours contracts. They separated in 2010 Simon now lives in a 3.5 million home in London and Tyler, 12, is thought to live with his mother. Mr Ashley started Sports Direct 34 years ago with a 10,000 loan from his parents. [34] This led to prolonged protests by fans directed against Ashley and Wise, being dubbed the "Cockney Mafia." It also has a cinema, family room, entertaining area, gym, games room with bowling alley, spa and sauna, and even a private golf course in the garden. By Martin Robinson, Uk Chief Reporter For Mailonline, Published: 12:59 GMT, 9 June 2016 | Updated: 18:36 GMT, 9 June 2016. Some things have changed because yesterday he left home driving his Bentley, but old habits die hard. The property is registered to Mr Murray, which he bought for 10.75m two and a half years ago, with cash lent by Mr Ashley, according to Land Registry documents. Anna, 25, describes herself as a property developer and both she and her mother are listed as directors of a firm called RAAA, now dissolved. While Murray, a former nightclub promoter, is undoubtedly chuffed with his new role, where it is estimated he could earn as much as 2.5 million a year, this apparently blatant nepotism is unnerving some Sports Direct shareholders. compared conditions at its Shirebrook warehouse to a Victorian workhouse, deal that Sports Direct struck with Barlin Delivery. In 1996, having expanded to 50 outlets, the firm was rebranded as Sports Soccer and acquired the Donnay brand. Double Take a cosmetics company owned by Mike Ashley and where 20-year-old Matilda Ashley is a director is licensing the rights to a beauty brand called Sports FX to Sports Direct. Founder Mike Ashley says past six months have been tough but retailer spends 40m on corporate jet. Michael Ashley is a billionaire English retailer with a net worth of $6.3 billion. So, Mike Ashley, can we handle the truth? Sports Direct's senior executives live locally in a cluster of houses, worth around 400,000 each. Matilda is the daughter of Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley. EXCLUSIVE: Head teacher of leading grammar school is sacked for sending parents a list of striking teachers. Loose or informal governance arrangements have the potential to surprise investors, something they would rather avoid. [35], On 14 September, Ashley made a statement announcing he had put the club up for sale, a day after the first home game since Keegan's resignation, which Ashley did not attend, a 21 defeat to newly promoted Hull City. For a period he was unable to take his family to matches for fear of abuse. (510) 292-4339. That is what I am now trying to do. The sports retailer, reeling from a year-long scandal over working practices, said underlying profit before tax slumped to 71.6m from 166.4m in the six months to 23 October. Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell blamed an "extreme political, union and media campaign" for the profit slump, saying it has "damaged its reputation and influenced our customers." But Sports Direct has had lots of chances to get its house in order and is paying the price today for failing to really overhaul its corporate governance. Matilda is Ashley's youngest daughter. He said at the time: 'I'm a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I'm advised we would be assaulted. A leg-up from Mike Ashley for daughter's beauty firm 2021-07-25 - By Neil Craven SPORTS DIRECT tycoon Mike Ashley has pledged financial support for his daughter's cosmetics company following its fifth consecutive year of losses. Mr Ashley's 33-room pillared mansion down the road in London's Beverly Hills has a sweeping drive, four garages and its near-neighbours are said to include Arsene Wenger and several members of One Direction. joining the board as a non-executive director and joining the company's audit committee. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. This week as the Sports Direct owner faced MPs over the 'Gulag' conditions suffered by his staff, the glamorous Linda Ashley came with him to Westminster despite their 50million divorce in 2002. In June he told a Parliamentary select committee that some of his workers were effectively paid less than the minimum wage because they were held back and searched after their shifts. Though the offices are based at a Grade II-listed building in Burnham, Matilda lives in Chelsea in a 5.1 million mews house that appears to be being renovated. The neighbourhood wasnt bad: David and Victoria Beckham owned one of the nearby estates. Mikes come a long way from his humble beginnings in the Buckinghamshire village of Burnham. Now, the retail entrepreneur has his own family.. Linda moved Simon, currently director of five businesses including a textile wholesaler and soft furnishings manufacturer, into her two Totteridge mansions and in 2004 the couple had a son, Tyler. His family enjoys all the trappings of his vast wealth, and it appears he may be an old romantic too because he has always 'adored' his ex-wife. View the profiles of people named Matilda Ashley on Facebook. Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group. Elder daughter Anna lives with boyfriend Michael Murray, who runs the property arm of the Sports Direct empire. The couple previously lived in a nearby three-storey mews house, which was bought by Mr Ashley's youngest daughter, Matilda, for 5.1m four months ago. Mike is stepping down from his role as boss and is gearing up to hand the reins over to his daughter's fiance, who is widely seen as his right hand man. Published: 16:51 EDT, 24 July 2021 | Updated: 10:11 EDT, 25 July 2021 . Security is so tight the fortress can only be seen from the sea. Among his fleet of expensive cars are a black Bentley, a BMW 7 Series and a champagne-coloured Aston Martin DB4 with cream interior, which he bought for Linda as a birthday present. Friends say Ashley adores her and always has. In August, Sports Direct was found. As a sole trader and not having to file accounts at Companies House, little was known about him. From 675 Louboutin ankle boots to 1,000 Missoni beachwear and 200 Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, she always looks the part. House number two, boasts five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a pool. After considering a takeover, Ashley took a 9million stake and signed a long-term deal with Umbro. Investors look to high quality disclosures to reassure themselves about the nature and extent of such transactions. Of course, going out with the boss's daughter is a tried-and-tested route to career advancement. Demand for English language and upskilling courses set to continue boosting education publisher Pearson sales as Mother-of-two is fined 100 for overstaying 15-minute limit as she queued up for a car wash - an hour after Rightmove shrugs off housing market blues with dividend hike as profits near 200m despite slowdown, Taxi driver gets 60 parking fine after stopping outside McDonald's for 47 seconds to pick up a customer. His own son, Ollie, is said to have done a short stint of work at Sports Direct. Sports Direct said in a statement: Michael has a consultancy arrangement with the company, is not paid a salary, and is not a director of any company within the Sports Direct Group. In August, Sports Direct was found to be paying hundreds of thousands of pounds to a company run by Ashley's brother for making international deliveries on behalf of the retailer. The retailer has a deal with a delivery company called Barlin, which is 100% owned by Mike Ashleys brother John. The business became a limited liability company in 1999. A former friend says Linda would have a big party for her birthday every year. The boyfriend of Mike Ashleys eldest daughter could earn about 2.5m a year after being controversially put in charge of Sports Directs property empire. [10], At present[when?] It recently emerged that Mike spent 130,000 on a new horsebox for Matilda. Mr Ashley's spokesman said today he does not comment on his personal life. The financial reporting watchdog noted that there was no discussion of Sports Directs international stores, which are a significant part of its business. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. He alluded to their alliance in an interview with The Guardian in 2019, saying: "I'm thinking about the next 10 to 20 years. [21] Neither Ashley nor his representatives showed interest in taking part in the film, declaring that the film was producing a majority of inaccuracies. It needs a board that is capable of standing up to him so that the normal checks and balances that apply to most companies are in place.. But fast forward 30 years and Mike, the tycoon who founded Sports Direct and owns Newcastle United football club, has become a notorious and highly controversial figure while raking in vast amounts of money from his myriad businesses. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. His eldest daughter Anna is married to Michael Murray, who has an influential role at Ashley's Sports Direct to House of Fraser retail empire. He was formerly the owner of Newcastle United football club . She lives with boyfriend of five years Michael Murray, 27, in a 10.7 million house in Knightsbridge and its he who seems to be the breadwinner, thanks to a little help from Daddy. Ashley attended a meeting at the Cheshire home of David Hughes, the chairman of now bankrupt rival Allsports. Our people have once again found themselves in the spotlight through no fault of their own, yet they remain hard working and loyal. Birthday: September 9, 1964 ( Virgo) Born In: Burnham 7 5 Business People #328 Quick Facts British Celebrities Born In September Also Known As: Michael James Wallace Mike Ashley Age: 58 Years, 58 Year Old Males Family: Spouse/Ex-: Linda Ashley siblings: John Ashley children: Anna Ashley, Matilda Ashley, Oliver Ashley British Men Virgo Entrepreneurs This week the billionaire Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley was forced to admit to paying some staff less than the minimum wage as he was accused of subjecting them to 'Victorian' working conditions. Few, however, have managed it with quite such aplomb as Murray, 26, who has been dating Anna since 2011.