As England competes on the world stage, a different kind of playbook is being executed off the pitch. The partners of the “Three Lions” stars are moving beyond the sidelines to build formidable careers in business, real estate, and digital media. According to reporting from the Daily Mail, many have established independent ventures, proving their success is built on their own entrepreneurial drive, not just the fame of their partners.
Quick Facts
- Partners are launching businesses in beauty and fashion.
- Ventures include talent management and content creation.
- Some actively manage multi-million-pound property portfolios.
The Beauty and Branding Moguls
Olivia Naylor, fiancée of defender John Stones, is a prominent entrepreneur in the beauty sector. She has founded several companies, owns salons, and runs a specialized training academy. Alongside her independent ventures, she and Stones jointly manage a real estate portfolio valued in the millions.
Similarly, Ellie Watkins, wife of striker Ollie Watkins, has become a powerful figure in beauty and fashion. As a successful businesswoman and agent, she promotes numerous cosmetic brands. Her drive is evident, even as her husband earns nearly £7 million annually and holds media and real estate assets worth £2.5 million.
From PR to Personal Brand Powerhouse
Tolami Benson, fiancée of winger Bukayo Saka, exemplifies the modern shift from a traditional career to a personal brand. After gaining significant attention during the Euro 2024 tournament, the former public relations professional leveraged her growing influence to sign with a major global talent agency. She has carefully maintained an independent identity, separate from the Arsenal star’s business interests.
Managing The Family Fortune
While some partners build public-facing brands, others operate powerful roles behind the scenes. Rebecca Burnett, wife of Jordan Henderson, avoids the media spotlight but is deeply involved in managing the couple’s extensive business affairs. She is a co-director of their property company, St. Johns Property Developments, which holds investments of £3.6 million.
Burnett also serves as a director for Henderson’s image rights company, Jordan 90 Limited, which controls assets valued at £10.2 million, including a £6.2 million portfolio of homes and apartments.
In contrast, others like Kate Kane, wife of captain Harry Kane, and Megan Pickford, wife of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, focus more on their family lives. Kane has a background as a fitness instructor, while her husband manages his own investments. Pickford maintains an active social media presence, sharing family life with her followers as her husband grows his real estate and image rights portfolio.
What This Means for MENA’s Creator Economy
This trend of building independent brands and businesses mirrors developments within the MENA region’s burgeoning creator and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Across the Middle East, female founders and influencers are increasingly translating their digital presence into tangible business ventures, from launching direct-to-consumer product lines to establishing service-based companies. The strategies employed by these British entrepreneurs—leveraging personal brands, investing in high-growth sectors like beauty and real estate, and maintaining financial independence—offer a relevant case study for aspiring business leaders in the Gulf and beyond who are navigating the intersection of public profile and private enterprise.
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Source: Al Bayan
