How Gary Neville made his multi-million business empire – as he joins Dragon’s Den

Former Manchester United icon Gary Neville is one of the club’s most celebrated players, having been part of the team that dominated the world of football for decades.

But at 48, and with his days on the pitch well behind him, Gary has turned his attention elsewhere – to building up his own business empire. 

Now, the retired football ace and sporting pundit is set to begin the next chapter of his career, appearing as the newest tycoon on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. 

Some may have been taken aback by the news the former Premier League star – who played 602 games with United and captained it for six years before hanging up his boots – will become the latest ‘Dragon’.

But with successful ventures in everything from hospitality and property to digital marketing, it’s really no surprise he has become the latest investor in the ‘Den’. 

Gary Neville (above) has landed a new TV job with the BBC – and it’s nothing to do with football

Gary’s enterprises include Hotel Football, a luxury hotel overlooking Old Trafford, and The Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, one of the top hotels in Manchester, alongside former team-mate Ryan Giggs. Pictured: Hotel Football

Since retiring from football in 2011, Gary has built a vast property development empire that nets him tens of millions a year. 

Gary first became interested in property development when he was just 21. But since retiring, he has expanded his ambitions and established his firm ‘Relentless’ in 2015, an investment company specialising in ventures in and around the Manchester area, while he also runs ‘Zerum’, a property and construction consultancy business.

His enterprises include Hotel Football, a luxury hotel overlooking Old Trafford, and The Stock Exchange Hotel near Piccadilly Gardens, one of the top hotels in Manchester, alongside former team-mate Ryan Giggs

And as part of his Relentless Developments wing of his business, Gary is involved in the lucrative £120million St Michael’s project, a redevelopment plan that aims to build hotels, offices, apartments and a top restaurant in Manchester city centre.  

‘Relentless’ is my favourite word and sums up my approach to life, business, everything really,’ boasts Gary on the swanky business page for his company.

However, it’s not just property investment which has proved a money-spinner for Gary – he also joint-owns League Two side Salford City alongside former United team-mates David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brother Phil. 

In 2017 the Sky Sports pundit co-founded Buzz 16, a production firm behind successful programmes such as The Overlap, Soccerbox and Class of ’92 Full Time. 

And in February he sold his controlling stake as part of deal reported to be worth around £200million.

Gary also used to be a senior investor in E3 Creative, a digital creative agency specialising in online marketing and corporate strategy, but left the venture in 2019.

Sky Sports pundit Neville, 48, will join the new series of Dragons’ Den as a guest Dragon

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But as well as building a business empire, Gary has also used his influence and wealth to support disadvantaged youngsters. 

Alongside his former United pals Scholes, Giggs, brother Phil and Nicky Butt, Gary is one of the founding members of University UA92. 

The organisation aims to help disadvantaged young people and boasts that it is ‘disrupting the traditional model’ of supporting the needy. 

News that Gary would join Dragon’s Den was announced by the BBC on Tuesday.

He will enter new addition businesswoman Emma Grede, will join the 21st series of the Dragons’ Den programme, with filming currently taking place in Neville’s native Manchester.

Gary played more than 600 times for Manchester United in a stellar playing career and won eight Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions League crowns.

Speaking of joining the show, Gary said: ‘I am excited to join the Dragons, and to meet the entrepreneurs brave enough to face us in the Den.

He joins the programme on a temporary basis alongside businesswoman Emma Grede (above)

The pair will follow in the footsteps of Dragons like Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies (left-right)

‘I hope my personal journey shows that you can take the experiences you’ve had in one part of your career and use them to do something entirely different and make it a success. 

‘Business is all about managing people and managing yourself and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience to help the entrepreneurs we’ll meet in the Den reach their potential.’

Dragons’ Den say Neville has a ‘business empire’ spanning property, education, hospitality, media and sport, including The Stock Exchange Hotel, University Academy 92 and the St Michael’s 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 21 series there will be a sixth chair in the Den as we welcome our first guest Dragons. 

‘And what better additions to our established line-up than business juggernauts Emma Grede and Gary Neville. 

‘Gary is a great example of someone who took an alternative route into commerce and used his unique skillset to grow a successful portfolio of companies. 

‘They’re an exciting addition to the Den for both the programme and the entrepreneurs.’