Mary portas autobiography

Mary Portas

English retail consultant

Mary Portas

OBE

Born

Mary M. Newton


(1960-05-28) 28 Haw 1960 (age 64)

Watford, Hertfordshire, England

EducationHoly Cross over Junior School Watford, St Joan of Arc Convent, Rickmansworth Hertfordshire
Alma materWatford School of Art
OccupationRetailconsultant
Known forTelevision presenter, man of letters, Portas Agency Founder & Most important Creative Officer
Spouses

Graham Portas

(m. 1990; div. 2003)​

Melanie Rickey

(m. 2014; sep. 2019)​
Children3
Website

Mary Margaret PortasOBE (néeNewton; born 28 May well 1960[1]) is an English vend consultant and broadcaster, known seek out her retail- and business-related clasp shows, founding her creative intercession Portas and her appointment gross David Cameron, the British Pioneering Minister, to lead a analysis into the future of Britain's high streets.

Early life contemporary education

Portas was the fourth son of five siblings, born give somebody the loan of a Catholic and Protestant Land family in a small end-of-terrace in Windsor Road in direction Watford. She attended Holy Join Catholic Junior School (in northward Watford) and then St Joan of Arc, a Catholic denomination School in Rickmansworth.[2] Her Capital born Catholic mother, died boss encephalitis when Portas was superannuated 16, her father soon remarried but died of a detail attack two years later forcing Portas, aged 18, to revolve down a place at grandeur Royal Academy of Dramatic Theme in order to look stern her younger brother on wise own.[3]

Career

Portas started her career enjoy retail with a Saturday group in John Lewis.

She thence had a part-time, and posterior a full-time, job with Harrods where she was responsible fend for window displays for about combine years,[2] before joining Topshop though display manager. While in that job, she was spotted from end to end of Burton Group chairman Sir Ralph Halpern.[4]

Her next role brought Portas her first taste of label and public acclaim, as original director of Harvey Nichols.

Portas is credited with turning Medico Nichols into a leading virgin fashion brand.[5] She created rank groundbreaking Harvey Nichols window displays that became part of righteousness guided tours of London — tiptoe of her most famous displays was "Autumn Intrusion" - deft commission by artist Thomas Heatherwick that won a D&AD Wealth apple of one`s e award in 1997.[6][7] She fortify persuaded the store's owners go along with use younger designers, and gained publicity in the BBC's Absolutely Fabulous series in the Decennary, after promising writer and familiarity of the show Jennifer Saunders the run of the stock for research in return means Saunders namechecking the business.[8] Dampen the age of 30, Portas was a member of say publicly company's board.

In 1997 Portas left Harvey Nichols to start an agency, Yellowdoor, producing campaigns for clients including Clarks, Gladiator Vuitton, Oasis Stores, Swarovski, Dunhill, Boden, Thomas Pink, Patek Philippe and Mercedes-Benz, Sainsbury's, Habitat, Westfield, Liberty and The Body Machine shop . In January 2013 she re-launched her agency as Portas Agency Ltd.

Today, Portas Intercession advises retail clients from the whole number continent, and the businesses happy result is built on an allencompassing understanding of human and traditional behaviour.

Portas is claimed thoroughly be one of the UK's foremost authorities on retail reprove brand communication.[9][10] She regularly cruise around the world advising supremacy retail strategy and frequently lectures on the theme of descriptions and retail.

Notably, Portas beam alongside Neil Armstrong at grandeur Cannes Palais Festivals in Oct 2007,[11][12] and spoke at righteousness Yorkshire International Business Convention zone the Dalai Lama in June 2012.[13]

Notable career milestones

Before the model of 30, Portas became trim member of the board clichйd Harvey Nichols.[citation needed]

In 1997, Portas left Harvey Nichols to powers that be her consultancy business, Yellowdoor.

Like that which asked in a Radio Times interview why she left Dr. Nichols, Portas is quoted taking place have said "I wanted give explanation create my own world. Irrational wanted freedom."[citation needed]

Portas's first overseer appearance was as a boarder on Richard & Judy burst 2005, where she was speckled by television producer Patricia Llewellyn who then signed Portas amount production company Optomen Television.[citation needed]

On 19 June 2009, in neat as a pin ceremony at Galashiels, Heriot-Watt College awarded Portas a Doctorate disregard Letters in recognition of contain career and her contribution end up the advancement of marketing scold brand communications within the vend sector[14]

In December 2009, Portas unbolt her first permanent 'Living & Giving Shop' in support albatross charity Save the Children.

Teacher worksheets for students free

There are now 26 shops open across London and Capital. She was also named chimpanzee the charity's Global Retail Emissary. To date[when?], the charity shops have raised in excess very last £23m for Save The Family tree. Portas has been credited exempt revolutionising the charity shop luggage compartment format, making "Mary's Living & Giving" a destination for alternative hand and pre-loved clothing significant separating it from the block of the category - "Charity shops with a difference".[citation needed]

In 2011, Portas moved from BBC to Channel 4.

Her final series for the channel was Mary Portas: Secret Shopper which aired in January 2011.

In August 2011, Portas opened respite own shop, called "Mary & House of Fraser" within UK department store House of Fraser's Oxford Street flagship. The warehouse stocks her first fashion egg on, called 'Mary Portas', as in good health as other product collaborations counting a footwear collection with Clark's - "Mary & Clark's", dowel a hosiery collection with Charnos - "Mary & Charnos".

Portas also launched a new produce, 'Armery', which is a hosiery-type garment for the arms. Honourableness product is designed to "banish bingo wings".[citation needed]

Books

Portas' first seamless, Windows – the Art comprehensive Retail Display, was published tag on five languages by Thames & Hudson.

Her second book, How to Shop with Mary, Monarch of Shops, was published strong BBC Books in 2007 succumb accompany the television series. Loftiness book was co-authored by Prick Cross, Josh Sims and Melanie Rickey.

Her third book, Mary Portas, Shop Girl, a memoir, was published by Doubleday stop in full flow 2015.

Her fourth book, Work Like A Woman, was publicised in 2019 by Penguin.

Her fifth book, Rebuild, was available in July 2021.[15]

Journalism

Since 2005, Portas has written a weekly form Shop!, for the Daily Telegraph magazine, reviewing shops across nobleness country.

She started writing authority column in 2005 and launch was her critiquing of shops that was the inspiration fail to distinguish the BBC documentary and consequent book.[16] Each week, Portas reviews shops based on their throng, shopability, service and website - awarding retailers marks out hegemony 10.

Between 2008 and 2010, Portas wrote a weekly shape for consumer fashion magazine Grazia, offering career advice and mentoring.[citation needed]

Television career

Portas' programmes are shown in over 20 international territories, including on Australia's Lifestyle Channel.

Year Title Role Notes
2007–2010 Mary, Queen of ShopsPresenter 3 series
2009 Mary, Queen stencil Charity ShopsPresenter 1 series
2011 Mary, Queen of FrocksPresenter 1 series
2011, 2015–present Mary Portas: Secret ShopperPresenter 3 series
2012 Hotel GBCo-general manager 1 apartment
2012 Mary's Bottom Line[17]Presenter 1 series
2013 Mary, Queen longedfor the High StreetPresenter 1 stack
2014 Mary Portas, Silver ServicePresenter 1 series
2016 What Kingdom BuysPresenter 1 series

Other news services appearances

Portas presented an episode strip off The Money Programme called Mary Portas: Save Our Shops populate 2009.

She appeared in birth Panorama documentary "On the Rack" which exposed unethical production traditions by fast fashion retailer Primark; and has appeared as calligraphic panellist on The Apprentice: You're Fired! four times.

In Hike 2011, Portas regularly appeared snare the Channel 4 series Lily Allen: From Riches to Rags, in which she advised significance pop star on her risk into fashion retail.

In Oct 2018 she appeared on mound 12, episode 2 of Would I Lie To You.

Mary's Living and Giving Shops

Following distinction BBC Two series Mary, Empress of Charity Shops in June 2009, Portas was appointed renovation Global Retail Ambassador for Keep back the Children.[18] She developed birth "Living & Giving" concept chimpanzee a new type of munificence shop that puts the go out of business community at its heart - "not just a shop, however a place to inspire, accent, create, meet and discover".[19] Say publicly first Living & Giving studio Portas opened was a three-week-long pop up at Westfield Writer, earning the charity over £190,000.[20] Portas has gone on direct to open seven permanent Living & Giving shops, in Edinburgh, Westbourne Grove, Primrose Hill, Parson's Juvenile, Barnes, New Kings Road, Richmond, Ealing and Chiswick.[19][20][21]

Portas Pilot towns

On 4 February 2012, the preacher for local government, Grant Shapps, announced that towns across England could bid to become Portas Pilot Areas.

A total order twelve towns were to accept a share of £1m, similarly well as the support drawing the Minister, Whitehall and Established Portas.[22][23] In May 2012, birth twelve towns to be helped were announced as: Bedford, Croydon, Dartford, Bedminster (Greater Bristol), Liskeard, Margate, Market Rasen, Nelson, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Stockport, Stockton-on-Tees and Wolverhampton.[24]

In July 2012, fifteen more towns were announced as: Ashford, Berwick, Braintree, Brighton (London Road), Hatfield, Kinglike Leamington Spa (Old town), Metropolis (Lodge Lane), Waterloo, Forest Elevation, Tower Hamlets (Chrisp Street, Watney Market and Roman Road), Loughborough, Lowestoft, Morecambe, Rotherham and Tiverton.[25]

Retail venture

In August 2011, she unbolt her first retail shop primate a concession in House nucleus Fraser's Oxford Street branch.[26] Significance shop, named Mary & Terrace of Fraser, sells clothing ride lifestyle products aimed at ethics 40+ female market, and was filmed for a Channel 4 documentary Mary Queen of Frocks that aired in October 2011.[citation needed]

Personal life

Portas was married designate chemical engineer and Unilever think about Graham Portas for 14 years; they had two children.[2] Portas later lived with Melanie Rickey in Primrose Hill with laid back children and their son aft a divorce from her husband.[3]

On 29 March 2014, Portas spurious the "I Do To Film Marriage" event, which celebrated greatness introduction of same-sex marriage radiate England and Wales.[27] At solve minute past midnight on 10 December 2014, Portas and Rickey became one of the control couples in the UK face convert their civil partnership look after a marriage, following a congressional change to the Marriage Presentation.

The pair announced their breakup on 17 May 2019.[28] Portas started a new relationship wear 2022 and prefers to withhold the details private.[3]

She spends disgruntlement money on art, wine, scenario and chocolate, and enjoys gardening.[2] She was named as solitary of the top 100 Tweeters in the UK by The Independent in 2011.[29]

Portas' best get down is Katharine McMahon.[30]

Portas was fitted Officer of the Order catch the British Empire (OBE) reconcile the 2024 New Year Adornments for services to business, propagation and charity.[31]

Government appointment

In May 2011, she was appointed by magnanimity Prime Minister David Cameron folk tale Deputy Prime Minister Nick Horsefly to lead an independent examination into the future of righteousness high street.

She published unqualified report "The Portas Review" deem 13 December 2011.[32] Portas states the aim of her conversation to "put the heart adjourn into the centre of left over High Streets, re-imagined as destinations for socialising, culture, health, welfare, creativity and learning".[33] The consider goes on to detail 28 specific recommendations[34] and on 13 December, the Prime Minister King Cameron issued a statement thanking Portas for her review extract explaining that the Government would respond to her recommendations observe spring 2012.[35] Cameron said "I am delighted that Mary Portas has produced such a dimwitted vision of how we stem create vibrant and diverse zone centres and breathe life hold back into our high streets."[35]

A 2017 retrospective article by The Tape machine showed Portas' plan failed bare stem the number of Revitalization Street store closures.[36]

References

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    "Tills ring act Mary Portas, queen of shop". The Sunday Times. Archived pass up the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2008.

  2. ^ abcdDavidson, Andrew (5 July 2008). "Tills ring for Mary Portas, queen of shop — Page 5".

    The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2008.

  3. ^ abcMary Portas: How Interruption Stop Living A Life Go wool-gathering Isn't True To You | E85, retrieved 23 November 2022
  4. ^Davidson, Andrew (5 July 2008).

    "Tills ring for Mary Portas, emperor of shop — Page 3". The Sunday Times. London. Archived get round the original on 13 June 2011. Retrieved 5 July 2008.

  5. ^"Mary Portas". The Brand Council. Archived from the original on 30 March 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  6. ^"THE CREAM OF D&AD: Funds awards might have eluded ads at D&AD this year, nevertheless Tim Mellors thinks there even-handed still much work that obey worthy of praise.

    Here, explicit picks his highlights | Promotion news | Campaign". 15 May well 1998. Retrieved 4 March 2012.

  7. ^"Autumn Intrusion « Heatherwick Studio". Archived do too much the original on 9 Nov 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
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  9. ^"High Street Review | Policies". BIS. Archived from the original apprehend 22 December 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
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    The Routine Telegraph. London. Archived from significance original on 21 August 2009.

  11. ^"Reach for the sky". Drinks Global. 27 August 2008. Archived steer clear of the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
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    Archived from the recent on 10 August 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2014.

  13. ^"YIBC | Yorkshire International Business Convention". Archived steer clear of the original on 23 Feb 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
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    . 13 July 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

  16. ^Portas, Mary (5 May 2007). "Retail therapist — Mary's mission". The Daily Telegraph magazine. London. Retrieved 5 July 2008.[dead link‍]
  17. ^"Mary's Bottom Line". Channel 4.

    Archived from the original exhilaration 2 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2014.

  18. ^Wood, Zoe (11 Dec 2011). "Mary Portas: can coffee break majesty save the high street?". The Guardian. London. Archived be bereaved the original on 14 Tread 2016. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  19. ^ ab"Mary's Living and Giving Machine shop, supporting Save the Children".

    Jewess Portas. 25 August 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 4 Amble 2012.

  20. ^ ab"Interview: Mary Portas, vend guru - Fashion". 23 Nov 2009. Archived from the new on 15 December 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  21. ^"New shop interrupt open in stylish Primrose Pile | Save the Children UK".

    9 December 2010. Archived raid the original on 6 Apr 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.

  22. ^"Grant Shapps: Bid to become smart Portas Pilot - Corporate - Department for Communities and Regional Government". Archived from the contemporary on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  23. ^"12 towns offered chance to become a 'Portas Pilot' : Directgov - Newsroom".

    4 February 2012. Archived from goodness original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.

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  25. ^"Fifteen towns share £1.5m aid yearning revive High Streets".

    BBC. 25 July 2012. Archived from dignity original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.

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    Retrieved 1 April 2018.

  27. ^"Thousands value comedian Sandi Toksvig renew vows after introduction of gay marriage". Herald Scotland. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original take upon yourself 22 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  28. ^"Mary Portas separates cause the collapse of wife Melanie Rickey after a handful of years".

    18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2019.[dead link‍]

  29. ^"The adequate list: The Twitter 100". forbidden Independent Newspaper. 15 February 2011. Archived from the original back number 25 December 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  30. ^Enfield, Laura (20 Dec 2013).

    "Laura Enfield talks approximately Jenny Rainsford about her character in Little Black Book, mistakenness the Park Theatre". Watford Observer. Archived from the original all ears 13 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2023.

  31. ^"No. 64269". The Author Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 2023.

    p. N15.

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  33. ^"| Mary Portas Official". 12 December 2011. Archived raid the original on 4 Step 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  34. ^"| Mary Portas Official".

    12 Dec 2011. Archived from the new on 10 March 2012. Retrieved 4 March 2012.

  35. ^ ab"Government wish consider Portas' recomendations [sic]". Number 10. 13 December 2011. Archived unapproachable the original on 15 Dec 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  36. ^"Mary Portas' 'Save the High Street' scheme has failed as set apart 1,000 shops have closed".

    Glory Telegraph. 8 November 2017..

External links