Philip Green, owner of, amongst much else, British Home Stores, reached billionaire status faster than anyone else in British history. Today he is worth GBP 3.6 billion and is reckoned to be the country's fourth richest citizen. This is the first biography of a man whose aggressive business tactics and brash lifestyle have transformed the staid image of British retailing, and who is likely to remain in the headlines for as long as his ultimate prize, Marks and Spencer, continues to elude his grasp. A middle-class Jewish boy from North London who left school at fifteen, Green started and failed with four businesses before he made it with his fifth venture, Jean Jeannie, which he sold to Lee Cooper for an enormous profit that set him on the road to fame and fortune. But there were pitfalls on the way; in particular, his involvement with Amber Day, a public company, left him with an abiding dislike for both the City establishment and outside investors. Ever since, he has relied upon a close group of like-minded entrepreneurs, including Tom Hunter the sports shoe millionaire and the Barclay twins, to help fund his buccaneering forays into Britain's High Streets. The authors describe Green's takeover and highly profitable break up of the Sears empire created by one of his business heroes, Charles Clore, and his first audacious attempt to seize control of Marks and Spencer at the end of 1999. Frustrated, in part by what were widely perceived as unfair tactics on the part of M&S, Green then turned his attention to the ailing BHS, for which he paid a mere GBP 200 million and then transformed its fortunes to such an extent that, in 2004, he was able to transfer dividends totalling GBP 400 million to his Monaco tax haven. His appetite unsated, Green then turned his attention to the Arcadia Group, which included brands such as Miss Selfridge, Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins before making another bid for M&S in 2004. Again he was foiled, partly because of what he saw as treachery on the part of his former protege Stuart Rose, the man who was appointed by M&S to see off Green's bid. But there seems little doubt that, given the opportunity, he will be back and that this time the personal grudge between the two men will give the contest an added bitterness.
Top Man: How Philip Green built his High Street Empire
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"'Philip Green was aggressive, flash and cocky. He was very unpopular.' Former schoolmate 'Philip is without doubt the best dealer retail has seen. But no one in management gets on with him for long.' Business colleague 'M&S have yet to meet their judgement day.' Philip Green, on withdrawing his second bid to take over Marks and Spencer 'I just thought you should know that I tore your f**king article out and put it under the cat's arse where it belongs.' Philip Green to a journalist"
About the Author
Andy Forester is a journalist and television producer who has specialised in making business stories accessible to a general audience. His most recent book, The Man Who Saw the Future, is a biography of William Paterson the founder of the Bank of England. Stewart Lansley, formerly an academic economist, is currently an executive producer in the Current Affairs Department of the BBC. His TV and radio work has been nominated for both EMMY and Sony awards and he has written six books, including Poor Britain and After the Gold Rush.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thought I would give this book a go and at times, I did get into it. Other times it was laborious and hard work. I wanted to learn from this book and Philip Green but I didn't. There is incredible detail which is unnecessary and by the time I was about 1/3 of the way through the book, I could already see a pattern of how things would develop and I was right. 2/3 of the way through I put the book down and filed it in my bookcase.
I wanted to learn from the master but the information just didn't come through...
I wanted to learn from the master but the information just didn't come through...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By One view
Format:Paperback
An intresting read but then Green is an intresting character an intresting flawed a character but non the less a major flair player in British power games.
This bio dwels on Greens early life and ends w near about the time he lanunched his audicious bid for control of M&S. There are not too many pages and with colourfull mavrick character as a subject it is a page turner which is acesable to a reader who has no experiance of Business. The style is lean and to the point and the writer is fair to his subject although Green is ultimatly a some what elusive figure in comparsion to a more public figure such as Alan Sugar and despite his sharp piercing wit gives little a way the writer manages to build up a clear picture of Green and the world he inhibits, in adition laying bare the facts that this country's political system is woryingly in awe of Green and his Business elite.
This bio dwels on Greens early life and ends w near about the time he lanunched his audicious bid for control of M&S. There are not too many pages and with colourfull mavrick character as a subject it is a page turner which is acesable to a reader who has no experiance of Business. The style is lean and to the point and the writer is fair to his subject although Green is ultimatly a some what elusive figure in comparsion to a more public figure such as Alan Sugar and despite his sharp piercing wit gives little a way the writer manages to build up a clear picture of Green and the world he inhibits, in adition laying bare the facts that this country's political system is woryingly in awe of Green and his Business elite.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Rolf Dobelli
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover
Authors Stewart Lansley and Andy Forrester do a good job of crafting the story of Philip Green, who bullied, connived, intimidated, schemed, blustered and outworked his way to the top of the heap in British retailing. The son of "business-obsessed" parents, Green learned the value of driving a hard bargain early in life. He specialized in buying goods at distressed prices so that later he could appear gracious when he sold them for a low price and put a tidy profit in his pocket. As the authors deftly portray, Green was a master of retail haggling. In fact, one disappointment is that the book doesn't deviate from its "business-icon biography" mode to delve more deeply into the attitudes and techniques that made Green a killer dealmaker. Guile, intimidation and ruthlessness no doubt played major roles. The authors do a thorough, creditable job of telling the inside story of how Green clawed his way to his current rank as Britain's fifth richest person. At times, however, they focus too much on internal political intricacies that may not interest most readers. That said, we recommend this interesting portrait of a retail tycoon whose whims still affect the daily lives of tens of thousands of Brits.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
I chucked it in the bin before finishing
I was put off immediately when the book states that Philip Green didn't contribute to the writing of the book and his key people also didn't contribute.
Published 29 days ago by Sally 'WeddingBoxLakeComo.com'
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
This book is the best read I have ever come across in my life , PG simply has the gift. With myself being a supplier to Bhs it with our 'Hug Rug' brand _____ it makes it more... Read more
Published 1 month ago by MR A MOSLEY
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Well worth a read for anyone considering going into business or for anyone who needs a little inspiration. Great value too.
Published 1 month ago by The Fashion House
4.0 out of 5 stars
From Rag Trade to Riches
This informative and very competent biography of Philip Green was published in 2005 by Lansley and Forrester, who are both business journalists. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mac McAleer
4.0 out of 5 stars
A deep insight into such a talented man
I have read this book several times. It gives an intelligent insight into such a talented man, who is probably the greatest retailer of his generation. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Matthew
3.0 out of 5 stars
whitty, interesting but...
but this book isn't written by philip green - it's all hear say and 'stories'. saying that i am probably being quite harsh, as the book does describe philip green as total... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Gcrikey
5.0 out of 5 stars
You will love the book but not the man!
Well written, well researched and very honest. Mr Green does come across as a ruthless man which is not so suprising. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2010 by eeoodares
5.0 out of 5 stars
Business Biography
* MUST READ * this a very useful book for any doing business studies or business orientated courses
Published on 9 Nov 2010 by Mohamed
2.0 out of 5 stars
Hard to get into..
I find this book focuses too much on wealth, how much Philip Green has and his lifestyle. I was hoping for an inspirational book, that I found with Richard Branson's book. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Bel
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated
An underrated little book that for me was unputdownable!
The starkest insight this book offers is not IMO the ruthless ambition or aggression that Phillip Green so... Read more
The starkest insight this book offers is not IMO the ruthless ambition or aggression that Phillip Green so... Read more
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Jeffrey Archer
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