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George Hammer

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British beauty and hospitality entrepreneur (born 1950)

George Hammer
Born (1950-10-03) 3 October 1950 (age 74)
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
NationalityBritish
EducationLondon College of Fashion
Occupation(s)Beauty, Hospitality and Property Entrepreneur
Known forFounder of Urban Retreat and launching beauty brands to the UK
SpouseRuby Hammer (married 1985 div.1999) Nemri Hammer (married 2004)
Children1
Parent(s)Anna and Tadeusz Hammer

George Hammer is a British beauty and hospitality entrepreneur, founder of the Urban Retreat brand with its flagship in Knightsbridge.

He is chairman of the London School of Beauty and Makeup and chairs the UK's "Beauty Apprenticeship trailblazer". His "One Events" business has venues in London's West End.

Early life

George Hammer was born to Polish immigrant parents in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. and graduated from the London College of Fashion in 1971 with a diploma in Clothing Management.

Early career

During the 1970s era Hammer acquired the fledgling Sanctuary business in the old flower market area of Covent Garden, which he developed over the next decade into London's first Urban Day Spa.

He negotiated the UK rights for Aveda in 1993. Then, in 1997, a joint venture with French Provençal beauty brand L’Occitane followed and resulted in the opening of flagship stores across London. Mister Mascara, Ruby and Millie, Tweezerman, Murad, Leighton Denny, Phillip Kingsley, Daniel Sandler Cosmetics and Joan Collins Beauty were other brands that Hammer partnered and developed in the UK.

As of November 2016, despite multiple personal ventures, Hammer is still a partner or trusted investor to a number of niche beauty brands, including Murad, Leighton Denny and Daniel Sandler Cosmetics. He approached Joan Collins and together they created her 'Timeless Beauty' range.

Urban Retreat

In 1999 Hammer sold his Aveda distribution rights to Estee Lauder. Soon afterwards Hammer negotiated 20,000 square feet of space on the Fifth Floor of Harrods, Knightsbridge. Here, he created Urban Retreat, the world's first super-salon concept which opened in 2002.

In 2004 Hammer opened the World's first "Haute Parfumerie" with parfumer Roja Dove to sensationalise perfumery retailing and in 2014 a Moroccan Hammam was opened within Urban Retreat in partnership with the Royal Mansour Hotel in Marakech.

Hammer appointed his daughter, Reena Hammer, to managing Director of Urban Retreat in 2016.

Hammer Holdings

In 2009 Hammer founded cosmetic brand ‘all for eve’ in honour and memory of his sister-in-law, Nadia, who died from ovarian cancer with all of its profits going to the cancer charity 'Eve Appeal'.

In 2010 Hammer started an events division within Hammer Holdings, acquiring premises in Marylebone (One Marylebone), Mayfair (One Mayfair) and a third venue 'One Horseguards Avenue', opened in 2011. In 2012 he acquired the old Buddha Bar premises in Waterloo, renaming it 'One Embankment' and in 2015 One Belgravia was opened in premises at 8/9 Grosvenor Place.

In 2014, Hammer launched with partners Peter Taylor & Jamie Jones The Mayfair Chippy restaurant in North Audley Street. It gained an AA Rosette and entry into the Michelin Guide.

Hammer acquired a major stake in the 'London School of Beauty and Makeup' under Urban Retreat.

Personal life

In 1985 Hammer married make up artist Ruby Hammer; they later divorced in 1999. They have one daughter together, Reena Hammer (born 1986). In 2004 George married Nemri Hammer (née Najdi).

Awards and recognition

In 2011, industry body, Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) UK awarded George with the Special Industry Award

Hammer sits on the strategic board of Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Authority) and chairs the British Apprenticeship trailblazer for the Beauty Industry.

References

  1. "Fame & Fortune: George Hammer | The Sunday Times". www.thesundaytimes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  2. "Interview with George Hammer, founder of Urban Retreat and U R Beautiful". cosmetics.specialchem.com. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  3. Helvin, Marie (21 November 2013). The Autobiography. Orion. ISBN 9781780227030.
  4. "Developing the idea - Creating an entrepreneurial partnership - Boots | Boots case studies and information | Business Case Studies". businesscasestudies.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  5. "George Hammer on what the food industry can learn from beauty business". 27 September 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  6. "Mergers dominate $473-billion beauty industry - raconteur.net". Raconteur. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  7. ^ "George Hammer on what the food industry can learn from beauty business". Spear's Magazine. 27 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  8. "Joan Collins: 'I am a feminist, but I enjoy being a woman'". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  9. Inc., Estee Lauder Companies. "The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. to Acquire Aveda Corporation, Leading Hair And Beauty Company". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 5 September 2016. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. "Morocco sets up shop in Harrods". www.cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  11. "Roja_Dove_Limited". www.cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  12. "Roja Dove | Prestige". prestigefrenchriviera.wordpress.com. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  13. "ProfessionalBeauty -Arabian days". professionalbeauty.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  14. "Urban Retreat appoints Reena Hammer as Managing Director". www.cosmeticsbusiness.com. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  15. Gloss, Get The. "Inside Job: Reena Hammer". www.getthegloss.com. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  16. "George Hammer creates charity brand All for Eve - 17/12/09 - The Moodie Davitt Report". 16 December 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  17. "August 2nd – all for eve beauty appeal". 5 October 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  18. "New brand All for Eve reigns supreme at British beauty awards". Independent.co.uk. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  19. "Sir John Soane's Holy Trinity. Now One Marylebone « BWCP". www.bwcp.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  20. "Chip shop chic". Fry Magazine. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  21. "Government approval for new industry-led hair and beauty apprenticeships". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  22. Roberts, Julia (6 June 2013). One Hundred Lengths of the Pool. Random House. ISBN 9781448185023.
  23. "CEW (UK) Announces Recipients of 2011 Achiever Awards". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  24. "ProfessionalBeauty -George Hammer outlines plans for beauty apprenticeships review". professionalbeauty.co.uk. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  25. "'Trailblazer' salons to shape the future of apprenticeships". Retrieved 20 October 2016.
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