Ex-nightclub boss aged 28 who holds House of Fraser’s future in his hands
A 28- YEAR- OLD former nightclub promoter – who just happens to be Mike Ashley’s future son-inlaw – will play a key role in deciding the future of House of Fraser’s 59 stores.
Michael Murray is the so-called ‘ head of elevation’ at Ashley’s Sports Direct business, which bought House of Fraser out of administration on Friday, meaning he is in charge of making the brand more upmarket.
He has been running its portfolio of properties for the past three years and is expected to be heavily involved in renegotiating leases on House of Fraser stores and determining which ones to shut.
Murray is engaged to Anna Ashley, the eldest daughter of the Newcastle United football club owner, having met seven years ago.
City sources said they expect Murray to play a major role in attempts by his fiancee’s father to revamp House of Fraser as ‘the Harrods of the High Street’, which is expected to involve closing some of the less profitable shops.
‘It’s a bit worrying that the future of a 169-year-old institution is in the hands of a 28- year- old without much industry experience,’ said property analyst Andrew Teacher, managing director of City property firm Black stock Consulting. Murray’s appointment as property supremo at Sports Direct shocked retail experts at the time because of his youth.
A row erupted with shareholders last month when it was revealed Murray has been paid £5 million since his appointment in 2015, leading to accusations of nepotism. Some observers believe billionaire Ashley, whose son Ollie is thought not to be interested in taking over f rom his f ather, i s grooming Murray as his successor.
Murray, whose father is a property baron from Doncaster, met Anna on holiday in Majorca in 2011. The couple now live together in a £10.7 million mansion in Belgravia.
Ashley’s decision to spend £90 million buying the department store chain has angered fans of Newcastle United who complain the controversial tycoon does not spend enough money on signings for the club, which he bought in 2007. Hundreds of fans gathered outside a Sports Direct store in the city before yesterday’s match against Tottenham to vent their anger.
Shoppers at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, home to a House of Fraser store, had mixed reactions to Ashley buying the chain.
Edith Lee, 68, a retired clerical worker, said: ‘He doesn’t put into the football club the way he should but if these people keep their jobs it will be a good thing.’
Gillian Ward, 36, a dental hygienist, said: ‘I’m not a football fan but I would not be happy if I was. He shuffles his money about and doesn’t invest in the club.’
Sports Direct declined to comment on what Murray’s role will be at House of Fraser.
‘He doesn’t have much industry experience’