Oliver Tress – Age, Net Worth, Career, And Family

Oliver Tress is a British entrepreneur best known as the founder of the lifestyle and fashion brand Oliver Bonas. His journey began with a single shop on London’s Fulham Road in 1993. What started as a small store selling handbags and jewellery grew into a nationwide retail chain. 

Tress’s vision and creativity turned Oliver Bonas into a beloved high street name. Beyond business, his life includes personal challenges, family moments, and media attention. His story reflects resilience, innovation, and a passion for originality.

Early Life and Education

Oliver James Mark Tress was born in May 1967 in Oxfordshire, England. He grew up in a family that valued creativity and enterprise. His father worked as a banker, while his mother cared for the family home. He attended Marlborough College, a respected boarding school. Later, he studied anthropology at Durham University, where he graduated in 1989. His time at university helped him develop curiosity about cultures and people. This curiosity shaped his later ideas in retail and design.

During his student days, Tress was inspired by unique styles and global influences. He loved collecting unusual products that were not commonly found in British shops. His natural interest in fashion and lifestyle products led him toward a career in retail. Unlike many who entered business through traditional routes, he started with a vision and a strong personal drive.

Founding Oliver Bonas

In 1993, Oliver Tress opened his first store on Fulham Road in London. He used only £3,000 of his savings to start. Half of that went into securing the shop space. His first products were handbags and jewellery that he sourced from Hong Kong. He named the shop Oliver Bonas, after his then-girlfriend Anna Bonas, who was a cousin of Cressida Bonas.

The store began as a small project but quickly attracted customers. Tress often worked behind the counter himself. He stocked items that reflected his taste for originality and cultural inspiration. 

Friends helped him decorate the store and create an inviting atmosphere. The shop gained attention because it offered something different from traditional high street brands. Within a short time, he realised the business had real potential.

Growth of the Business

Oliver Bonas expanded steadily through the 1990s and 2000s. New stores opened across London and later in other UK cities. Tress focused on building a brand that mixed fashion, homeware, and gifts. Customers appreciated the creativity behind the designs and the diversity of products.

By 2015, the company made headlines when it became the first UK high street chain to pay staff the real living wage. This decision highlighted Tress’s commitment to fair treatment and respect for employees. His approach created loyalty among workers and trust among shoppers. In 2019, the company secured a £15 million credit facility from HSBC to fund further expansion. This step helped open eight more stores.

By 2023, Oliver Bonas had grown into a chain with around 83 to 84 stores across the UK and Ireland. The brand became known for its unique blend of fashion and lifestyle products. Customers often viewed shopping there as an experience rather than a simple purchase.

Net Worth 

Oliver Tress built significant personal wealth through his retail empire. His net worth is estimated at around £12 million. The business itself has grown into a highly profitable venture. In 2019, Oliver Bonas reported a profit of £2.7 million. By 2021, revenue rose to £92.8 million, with pre-tax profits close to £7.5 million.

The company’s success shows Tress’s ability to adapt to changing retail markets. While many high street brands struggled during the pandemic, Oliver Bonas continued to perform well. Its focus on lifestyle, design, and originality kept customers engaged. Tress’s wealth is tied closely to the success of his company. Yet he has always maintained a reputation as a hands-on entrepreneur who cares about both his staff and customers.

Personal Life

Oliver Tress married Gina Coladangelo in 2009. She worked as a communications and marketing executive and later became a government advisor. Together, they had three children. The family lived in Wandsworth, London, in a large Edwardian house. In 2015, the house was sold to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for about £7.5 million.

Tress has openly spoken about living with ADHD. He has described how it affects his energy and creativity. Instead of viewing it as a limitation, he used it to fuel his drive as an entrepreneur.

In 2011, he faced a serious challenge when he was assaulted during the London riots. Rioters attacked him outside one of his stores on Northcote Road in Battersea. He suffered head injuries and required hospital treatment. The incident revealed the risks faced by business owners during that turbulent period.

Public Attention

Tress became more widely known in 2021 during the scandal involving his wife and then Health Secretary Matt Hancock. After the affair became public, photographers captured Tress helping Coladangelo pack her belongings into the boot of her car. This moment, often described as the “packing bags” scene, was widely shared in the media. Despite the attention, Tress maintained his privacy and dignity. Later, he and Coladangelo separated.

Oliver Tress Now

Today, Oliver Tress continues to lead Oliver Bonas as its founder and guiding force. He remains involved in the design and direction of the company. His focus stays on originality, creativity, and building a strong company culture. Despite personal challenges, he has managed to keep the business thriving.

Tress is now recognised not only as a successful entrepreneur but also as someone who has shaped modern retail culture in the UK. His stores represent a blend of global style and local identity. He shows how vision and determination can build a strong business even in difficult markets.

Final Thoughts

Oliver Tress’s story is one of resilience and creativity. From a single shop in London to more than 80 stores, his journey reflects hard work and innovation. His net worth of about £12 million reflects the success of his business, but his true wealth lies in the brand he created. He has balanced challenges in his personal life with determination in his career.

Today, Oliver Tress stands as an example of how originality and persistence can change the high street. He built Oliver Bonas into more than just a store. It is a cultural space that reflects personality, imagination, and style.