Richard Emanuel is a British businessman and investor. He founded his first company DX communications at the age of 23, which grew from a one person start-up to an organisation of over 1,000 people within a 5-year period. The company was acquired by British Telecom's subsidiary BT Cellnet in September 1999. Emanuel has gone on to build a number of successful companies in the technology, wellness and luxury sectors including Lumity Life and Réard. Emanuel has received various awards and recognition during his business career, including an MBE received from Queen Elisabeth II in 2000. He has also been a member of the Young presidents' Organization since 2000 and is a past chairman of their Monaco chapter.
Early life
Richard Emanuel was born on 29 October 1967, to academics Lois Emanuel and Ronald Emanuel. He spent his early life in the city of Glasgow attending Hutchesons' Grammar School. He was active in sports, excelling in both boxing and swimming.
Early career
He founded his first company DX communications, which was in the cellular telecoms sector, at the age of 23. The company was a one person start-up and was funded initially by his own savings 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. Emanuel remained active in the telecom and technology sector through the 2000s, building a number of companies in mainland Europe and North Africa.
Business career
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. 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. 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 and Helena Christensen, among a number of other celebrities and wellness influencers.
Personal life
In 2008 Emanuel married Judith Halmshaw, a business women and recent founder of the men's yoga wear brand Warrior Addict. The couple have two children and separated in 2016. They maintain separate residences in the Principality of Monaco and remain on good terms.
Awards and nominations
Emanuel has received various business awards and honours throughout his career including an MBE presented by Queen Elisabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2000.
