Gerald Ratner

Gerald Ratner took over as CEO of the family jewellery chain in the mid 80s, becoming one of Britain’s best known businessmen.

He transformed it from 130 stores with sales of £13m, to a public company with 2,500 stores and sales of over £1.2bn. By 1990, Ratner’s was the world’s largest jewellery retailer with profits in excess of £120m.

Following a high profile gaffe in which he described some of the products sold in the stores as ‘total crap’, he was forced to sell the business.

Gerald Ratner could not have predicted the damage caused by his casual remarks about his best selling line. He went from the world’s biggest jeweller to nothing in a stroke.

In 2003 he launched a new venture, geraldonline.com. The specialist diamond retailer sells jewellery, watches and hallmarked gold and silver through a secure site. It has formed alliances with a number of partners including SB&T, an Indian based producer, Goldsmiths and Royal Brierly – the only UK manufacturer of traditional hand blown crystal. The online business is already the largest of its kind in Britain.

After clawing his way back to the top, Gerald talks with typical candour about the rollercoaster journey and the valuable lessons learned.

Gerald’s biography ‘Gerald Ratner: The Rise and Fall… and Rise Again’ was released in 2007and serialised in the Sunday Times

Keynote Speaker:

As a keynote speaker, Gerald offers audiences a first hand account of the demise of his multi-million pound jewellery business and how he has managed to put this behind him and successfully re-launch his career in a highly competitive marketplace.

Strong practical business messages and the execution of management strategies, combined with innovative ideas are guaranteed to show audiences how to beat the competition, delight customers and increase both sales and profits.

An incisive and astute businessman, Gerald Ratner is also a charming and witty speaker, captivating audiences with his incredible story of both his success and failure.

Speaking topics include:

• Retailing
• Overcoming Adversity
• Marketing and Branding
• Recovering from Adversity
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic Management
• Risk
• Recovering from disaster