Philip Day

Dubai, AE

CEO & Owner

Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group

Biography

Philip Day is a retail entrepreneur and owner of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM), which includes high-street brands Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Jaeger, Austin Reed, Jane Norman, Peacocks and Ponden Home.

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group is one of the largest employers on the UK high street, with more than 23,000 employees. Philip is also the owner of Days, an expanding chain of town-centre department stores.

Born in Greater Manchester, Philip acquires high-street brands and returns them to long-term profitability through investment, job creation and expansion.

He is a supporter of a number of cancer charities, including Cancer Research UK, local sports events and teams, including Carlisle F.C., and The Percy Hedley Foundation.

Through his agricultural and conservation work, Philip has planted in excess of half a million trees and carried out important research into the preservation and reintroduction of disappeared and endangered species at his wildlife sanctuary.

Philip Day’s Newsfeed

Retail Week

Opinion: Philip Day has given Bonmarché a lifeline

Philip Day has secured the survival of previously written-off brands such as Jane Norman, Peacocks and Jaeger despite stronger competition and downbeat consumer sentiment. His track record in restructuring failing businesses will provide Bonmarché with much needed encouragement as Day takes it under his wing in a proposed takeover bid.

The Guardian

Can this man save our high streets?

Philip Day is the opposite of the brash entrepreneur, yet he’s quietly showing his retail rivals the way...Retail entrepreneur Philip Day is yet to become a household name but the owner of more than a dozen retail brands, including Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks, is quietly buying up swathes of the high street, with troubled electronics retailer Maplin the latest chain on his shopping list.

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Philip Day’s Background

Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group

CEO & Owner

2002 - Present

Langholm, UK

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group (EWM) is one of the largest employers on the UK high street, employing more than 23,000 people. The group of companies includes retail brands Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Jaeger, Austin Reed, Jane Norman, Peacocks and Ponden Home. The company is 100% privately owned and is therefore able to reinvest its profits into the high street.

Days

Owner

2017 - Present

Carlisle, UK

The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group also operates a new chain of city-centre department stores in prime locations that bring together all the retail group’s brands under one roof. The first store was opened in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

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Current Non-Executive Positions

Hayton Agriculture

Owner

2014 - Present

Carlisle, UK

Hayton Agriculture owns and operates one of the largest green energy Anaerobic Digesters in the world, the Greengill 2.4 MW AD in Penrith. The company grows wheat, maize and other agricultural feedstock with high caloric content for the production of green energy.

The Scottish Deer Centre

Owner

Jan 2011 - Present

Cupar, UK

A wildlife sanctuary set in the Fife countryside, The Scottish Deer Centre is home to more than 14 species of deer as well as other Scottish wildlife, including wolves and wildcats. Welcoming thousands of children every year, it promotes the preservation of endangered species through managed breeding, research and education.

Previous Non-Executive Positions

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

Non-Executive Director

2010 - 2012

Penrith, UK

The North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust runs Cumberland Infirmary, Penrith Hospital and West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

Carlisle United F.C.

Director

2008 - 2009

Carlisle, UK

Founded in 1904, Carlisle United Football Club is based in Carlisle, Cumbria, and plays at Brunton Park. Edinburgh Woollen Mill continues to support the club financially, and is the team's shirt sponsor.

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Philanthropy

Cancer Research UK

Supporter

2008 - Present

London, UK

Cancer Research UK is a research and awareness charity that aims to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. It is the world's largest independent cancer charity and conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The Percy Hedley Foundation

Supporter

2008 - Present

Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

The Percy Hedley Foundation provides a wide range of high-quality, specialist and personalised care and education support to disabled people and their families.