Former Manchester United icon Gary Neville is one of the club’s most iconic players and for decades was part of the squad that dominated the world of football.
But at the age of 48 and long past his days on the field, Gary has turned his attention elsewhere – building his own business empire.
Now the retired football star and sports pundit begins the next chapter in his career as he stars as the new tycoon on the BBC show Dragon’s Den.
Some may have been stunned by the news that the former Premier League star – who made 602 appearances for United and captained for six years before hanging up his boots – is becoming the latest ‘dragon’.
But with successful ventures in everything from hospitality to real estate to digital marketing, it’s really no surprise that he’s become the newest investor in the “cave.”
Gary Neville (above) has landed a new television job at the BBC – and it has nothing to do with football
Sky Sports pundit Neville, 48, will be appearing as a guest dragon in the new series of Dragons’ Den
Since retiring from football in 2011, Gary has built a massive real estate development empire that earns him tens of millions a year.
Gary first became interested in real estate development when he was just 21 years old. But since retiring, he has broadened his ambitions and in 2015 founded his company Relentless, an investment company specializing in ventures in and around Manchester. He also runs ‘Zerum’, a real estate and construction consulting company.
Dragon Gary Neville’s “Business Empire”
- Started as a property developer while still playing at Man United
- Co-owns League Two Salford City along with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brother Phil and Peter Lim
- Owns The Stock Exchange Hotel, one of Manchester’s top hotels, with former teammate Giggs
- The UA92 University “disrupts the traditional model” as it helps disadvantaged young people
- A lucrative £120million property project is emerging in Manchester city center for St Michael
- His Overlap YouTube series brought in £180,000 in profits last year
His businesses include Hotel Football, a luxury hotel overlooking Old Trafford, and the Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, one of Manchester’s top hotels, along with former teammate Ryan Giggs
And as part of his Relentless Developments arm of his company, Gary is involved in the lucrative £120m St Michael project, a redevelopment plan to build hotels, offices, apartments and a top restaurant in Manchester city centre.
‘Relenting’ is my favorite word and it really sums up my attitude to life, to business, to everything,” boasts Gary on his company’s snazzy business page.
It’s not just real estate investing that’s a winner for Gary though – he also co-owns second division side Salford City alongside former United team-mates David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and his brother Phil.
In 2017, the Sky Sports pundit co-founded Buzz 16, a production company behind hit programs like The Overlap, Soccerbox and Class of ’92 Full Time.
And in February he sold his majority stake in a deal valued at around £200million.
Gary was also a former lead investor at E3 Creative, a digital creative agency specializing in online marketing and corporate strategy, but left the company in 2019.
But Gary has not only built a business empire, he has also used his influence and wealth to support underprivileged youth.
Gary is one of the founding members of University UA92 alongside his former United friends Scholes, Giggs, his brother Phil and Nicky Butt.
The organization aims to help disadvantaged young people and prides itself on breaking “the traditional model” of helping those in need.
The news that Gary would be joining Dragon’s Den was announced by the BBC on Tuesday.
He will enlist new businesswoman Emma Grede and take part in season 21 of the program Dragons’ Den, with filming currently taking place in Neville’s hometown of Manchester.
He temporarily participates in the program alongside businesswoman Emma Grede (above).
The pair will join Dragons like Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones (left-right).
Gary made more than 600 appearances for Manchester United in a distinguished career, winning eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League titles.
Speaking of attending the show, Gary said, “I’m excited to join the Dragons and meet the entrepreneurs brave enough to face us at the Den.”
“I hope my personal journey shows that you can use the experiences you’ve had in one part of your career to do something completely different and make it a success.”
“Business is all about leading people and yourself, and I look forward to sharing my experiences to help the entrepreneurs we meet at Den realize their potential.”
According to Dragons’ Den, Neville has a “business empire” spanning real estate, education, hospitality, media and sport, including the Stock Exchange Hotel, University Academy 92 and the St Michael property development, all in Manchester.
He and Grede will sit on the panel alongside regular Dragons Peter Jones, Steven Barlett, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies.
Executive Producer Samantha Davies added, “For the first time in the show’s 21st season, there will be a sixth chair in the Den as we welcome our first guest dragons.”
“And what better addition to our established lineup than business giants Emma Grede and Gary Neville?”
“Gary is a great example of someone who took an alternative path in trading and used his unique skillset to build a successful portfolio of businesses.”
“They are an exciting addition to the Den for both the program and the entrepreneurs.”