Michael Lewis (businessman)

Michael Lewis
Born	1959 (age 65–66) South Africa
Nationality	South African and British
Education	University of Cape Town
Occupation	Businessman
Title	Chairman, Foschini Group
Spouses	Leola Lewis ​ ​ (m. 1985, divorced)​ Lady Kitty Spencer ​ (m. 2021)​
Children	4
Relatives	Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer (father-in-law) Victoria Aitken (mother-in-law) Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp (brother-in-law)

Michael Lewis (born 1959) is a South African-born British businessman in the fashion industry, and chairman of Foschini Group.

Early life

Lewis earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Cape Town.[1]

In the 1930s, his grandfather Meyer Lewis founded the Lewis furniture retail chain, and in the 1980s, his father Stanley Lewis acquired a controlling stake in Foschini Group.[2]

Career

Lewis has been chairman of Foschini Group since 2015.[1][2]

In October 2019, Lewis invested $8 million in direct-to-consumer luggage brand July.[3]

He is an independent director at Histogenics Corporation, a partner at Oceana Investment Partners LLP, chairman at Oceana Investment Corp Ltd, and chairman at Strandbags Holdings Pty Ltd. He is on the board of directors at Histogenics Corp, Oceana Capital Partners LLP, Oceana Fund Managers (Jersey) Ltd., United Trust Bank Ltd., and Oceana Concentrated Opportunities Fund Ltd.[1]

Personal life

Lewis moved to London in the 1980s.[2] In 1985, he married Leola.[4] They have three adult children, and are now divorced.[2][5][4]

Lewis is Jewish, and in 2011, his family donated £3 million to the University of Oxford to fund the appointment of a Professor of Israel Studies.[2]

In January 2020, his engagement to English fashion model, Lady Kitty Spencer, was announced.[5] They married on 24 July 2021 at the Villa Aldobrandini in Rome.[6] Lewis and Spencer have one daughter, Athena, together.[7]

References

1. "Foschini Group Ltd. TFG (South Africa)". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
2. "Princess Diana's 29–year old niece is marrying the 60-year old chairperson of Foschini - here's what you need to know about Michael Lewis' career". Business Insider. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
3. McIlvaine, Heather (15 October 2019). "Strandbags owner invests $8 million in luggage startup". Inside Retail. Octomedia.
4. "Lady Kitty Spencer, 29, is to wed fashion tycoon Michael Lewis, 60". The New Zealand Herald. 4 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
5. Cope, Rebecca (6 January 2020). "Lady Kitty Spencer is engaged to her fashion tycoon boyfriend". Tatler. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
6. Tregaskes, Chandler (25 July 2021). "Dolce & Gabbana on creating Lady Kitty Spencer's stunning wedding dress". Tatler. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
7. Johnston, Harriet (10 March 2024). "'It's a joy to be your mummy': Lady Kitty Spencer, Princess Diana's niece, surprises fans by revealing she has had a baby in gushing Mother's Day post". Tatler. Retrieved 10 March 2024.