Primark boss breaks 20 years of secrecy to accept award

By James Hall, Retail Editor Published: 6:30AM GMT 05 March 2010

Arthur Ryan - Primark arch breaks twenty years of privacy to accept endowment

In usurpation the award, Mr Ryan pennyless years of self-imposed purdah he has never been interviewed and refuses to be photographed.

A obviously gay Mr Ryan said: "Ive had an unusual career. Its similar to Robinson Crusoe; Ive got the event to cruise a boat and here we are in Park Lane. Were only here for H2O and reserve until we head off to Russia or somewhere."

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In a video summary at the ceremony, Sir Philip Green, owners of the Topshop chain, paid reverence to his rival.

"Ive been accessible with Arthur for a little twenty years. This is a man who richly deserves this award. Hes tirelessly grown and built one of the UKs great businesses. Commercially he might be most peoples enemy, but hes my friend," pronounced Sir Philip.

It was a great year for the 196-store chain. Primark additionally won the "retailer of the year" and "store pattern of the year" awards at the ceremony.

The septuagenarian has built Primark from a singular Penneys store in Dublin in to an general business. The chain, that has annual sales of �2.3bn, has been a key motorist of expansion for primogenitor association Associated British Foods .

Tim Danaher, editor of Retail Week, said: "Primark has remade conform retailing over the past decade, and thats all down to the prophesy of Arthur Ryan. Its speed to marketplace and the worth it offers have utterly altered the manners when it comes to offered clothing, and lifted the club for all the rivals."