GERALD RATNER: The Rise and Fall…and Rise Again

Published by Capstone, November 07

“In 2006, a book was published called History’s Worst Decisions. Alongside Nero burning Rome to the ground, Eve eating the apple, and the choice not to install a Tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean, was a speech I made in 1991. Despite the fact I didn’t kill anybody, I didn’t do anything illegal, and I didn’t even say anything that I hadn’t said before, that speech caused me to lose my business, my reputation and my fortune.” Gerald Ratner

In The Rise and Fall…and Rise Again retail giant Gerald Ratner tells the story of his family’s jewellery business, the ups and downs of his own career, and how he has come full-circle to enjoy success the second time round...

Ratner’s infamous speech at the Institute of Directors, when he described a decanter and glasses set sold by H Samuel as “total crap”, saw him wipe £500m off his own company overnight. In the weeks that followed his life changed more than anyone could possibly imagine – it was a much publicised fall from grace. In his book, Ratner tells the real story behind that day in 1991, and the impact it had on both his private and business life. He was “hung out to dry” by the press, fired from his own company and had over 50 subsequent job applications rejected.
 
The book covers Gerald’s personal life and formative years, as well as the history of the business, the characters involved in its success and the business techniques used to grow the company. Starting with one shop in Richmond, the Ratners group grew to be a UK household name and the world’s largest jewellers. As Chairman and Chief Executive, Gerald Ratner was instrumental in modernising the business, and taking it to a whole new level, buying out competitors and expanding in to the American market, to make Ratners one of the true retail successes of the 80s.

After a couple of ‘wilderness years’ following the Institute of Directors speech, and the recessionary “hangover” of the early 90s, Gerald Ratner rediscovered his entrepreneurial spark, firstly working as a business consultant, before going on to buy and develop a health club, which was sold for a healthy profit in 2001. Gerald then started his own online jewellery business, Geraldonline, which has an annual turnover of £25 million.

Gerald Ratner is a married father of four, and a fitness fanatic, cycling around 20 miles a day. He is also an active speaker on the business circuit and describes his talks as “like going to the psychiatrist”.

Watch a film of Gerald Ratner talking about the book at: YouTube/GeraldRatner

Hardback;  £18.99/€28.50;  ISBN: 978-1-84112-786-6

For more information or to request a review copy, please contact:

Caroline Baines - E: cbaines@wiley.co.uk, T: 01243 770674