Tom Chapman

Tom Chapman OBE is an entrepreneur, Co-founder, and former CEO of Matchesfashion.com. Starting his business from a small boutique in Wimbledon, Tom created the first multi-brand retailer to introduce luxury fashion brands into the UK market and by 2011, Matchesfashion.com became London’s largest independent fashion retailer. Now a joint chairman of the company, Tom is a revolutionary entrepreneur and inspirational speaker, talking on points such as investment, technology, and business.

Born and raised in Wimbledon, Tom began his luxury fashion business in Wimbledon Village after studying hotel and hospitality management. In 1987, Tom invested in his independent business, originally named MatchesFashion and at the age of 21 met Ruth Chapman, persuading her to join him in building the business. From a single brick-and-mortar store, Ruth and Tom Chapman created London’s largest independent luxury retailer. Matchesfashion.com was one of the first luxury businesses to go online in 2007 with Tom leading digital strategy and constructing their website to access stock from a single view, to create a customer database and as a sales tool. Since 2018, Matchesfashion.com stocks 450+ brands and ships internationally to 176 countries. The business is a huge success, with 95% of sales coming from online, international sales at 80% and now has 14 stores in Britain.

Creating a successful multi-channel e-commerce retail company, Tom stepped down as CEO in 2015, became joint chairman, and sold the business to Apax Partners in 2017. He also went on to invest in early-stage businesses in the technology, fashion, and healthcare industries. Having previously worked with various talented British fashion designers and introduced innovation in the fashion industry, Tom was appointed OBE for his services to the international fashion retail industry and to social awareness. He was also awarded the Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and was instated into the Business of Fashion Hall of Fame in 2018.

Highly accomplished, Tom Chapman is an innovative figure in both the fashion industry and in business. He is a seasoned entrepreneur, proficient in investment and strategy, continuing to pave the way for innovation. When booked as a speaker, Tom covers topics such as business, e-commerce and entrepreneurship.