Gerald Ratner

Gerald Ratner is a well-known British entrepreneur, celebrated for his remarkable journey in the business world. He took over his family’s jewellery business in 1984, which at the time had 130 stores. Under his leadership, the company expanded rapidly, growing to an impressive 2,500 stores by 1990, employing 25,000 staff, and generating annual sales of £1.2 billion, with profits reaching £121 million.

However, in 1991, Gerald Ratner became infamous for his candid remark at a corporate speaking event at the Albert Hall for the Institute of Directors. As Chairman and Chief Executive of Ratners Group—the world’s largest jewellery retailer, which included brands such as H Samuel and Ernest Jones—he described one of their products, a sherry decanter, as "total crap." This moment became a defining point in his career, leading to substantial business challenges.

Despite this setback, Gerald Ratner has successfully reinvented himself, proving his resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. He is now the founder of Gerald Online, the UK’s largest online jewellery business, and an acclaimed author. His best-selling books, Rise and Fall and Rise Again (published in 2008 and later released on Audible in 2018) and Reinvent Yourself, co-authored with Rob Moore, showcase his remarkable comeback story and provide valuable insights on business reinvention.

In addition to his achievements in the UK, Gerald Ratner has expanded his expertise overseas, successfully launching and scaling a business in the United States, with more than 1,000 stores—a rare achievement for UK retailers breaking into the American market.

Today, Gerald Ratner is in high demand as a Business and Leadership Speaker, sharing his experiences, lessons, and insights on resilience, entrepreneurship, and overcoming challenges. He is the ideal speaker for International Events, Conferences, Start-Ups, and After-Dinner Speaking Engagements.