Richard Emanuel

Richard Emanuel was born on 29 October 1967,[4] to academics Lois Emanuel (née Metcalfe) and Ronald Emanuel. He spent his early life in the city of Glasgow attending Hutchesons' Grammar School.[5] He was active in sports, excelling in both boxing and swimming.

He founded his first company DX communications, which was in the cellular telecoms sector, at the age of 23.[6][7] The company was a one person start-up and was funded initially by his own savings[8] and a £500 loan from his grandmother, Ivy. Over a 5-year period, the company grew to an organisation of over 1,000 people, with operations across the UK. In September 1999, the company was acquired by British Telecom's subsidiary BT Cellnet for a reported £42m.[6] Emanuel remained active in the telecom and technology sector through the 2000s, building a number of companies in mainland Europe and North Africa.[9]

Emanuel's main business and investment focus is in the fashion, luxury and wellness sectors. He is the owner of Réard, the brand famous for inventing the bikini in 1946 and worn by such famous women as Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe and Ursula Andress.[10][11] He has been quoted as saying that his aim with Réard is to build a global luxury brand for women in the swim and resort wear sector.[12] He is also the founder Lumity Life, a company in the wellness and anti-ageing sector, whose product has been supported by both Yasmin Le Bon[13] and Helena Christensen, among a number of other celebrities and wellness influencers.

In 2008 Emanuel married Judith Halmshaw,[14] a business women and recent founder of the men's yoga wear brand Warrior Addict.[15] The couple have two children and separated in 2016. They maintain separate residences in the Principality of Monaco and remain on good terms.

Emanuel has received various business awards and honours throughout his career including an MBE presented by Queen Elisabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2000.[16][17]