Football career

Danny Mills began his football career with Norwich City after coming through their youth system. But is best known for his time at Leeds United as a right back. He was an uncompromising defender who played in both the Champions’ League and in the World Cup. Injury forced him into retirement. He remains a regular pundit and commentator for BBC Radio Five Live’s coverage of the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League and England national football team matches.

Property & Businessman

Unusually for a footballer, Danny has always maintained an interest in business. Building a substantial residential and commercial property portfolio whilst still playing. On retirement, he focused on business and joined a former HSBC banker, a senior partner at Deloitte.  Danny was founder of the Republic fashion chain to form a new private equity company.

One of the company’s first and most high-profile investments was the West Cornwall Pasty Co. A business hit hard by the recession and changing high street habits. Danny and his team imposed a new strategy on the organisation. Cutting struggling outlets and reviewing their target market. The investors received over 500 applications in their first year from a vast range of businesses from aviation to window frame manufacturers.

As well as business. Danny sat on the recent FA Chairman’s Commission into the England team set up.

Speaker

Danny Mills employs his straight-talking style to speak about his dramatic change of direction from football to business. How he went about it, his dedication to learn, and the parallels between his career change, and the change businesses often need to embrace to succeed.

Charity work

Outside of his business life, Danny is a patron of the charity Shine. He has completed the Brighton Marathon in a wheelchair. He has rowed the Channel for charity, is an active supporter of the Shine charity, and was a close runner-up in Celebrity Masterchef.