James Constantinou
Overview
James John Constantinou (born 7th April 1967) is an entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of Prestige Pawnbrokers, star of TV Show 'Posh Pawn', public figure and an expert in pre-loved luxury items.
Early Life
Constantinou was born on 7 April 1967 in Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, East London. His father (Greek Cypriot) was a shoe manufacturer, and his mother (English) a seamstress. He lived in Council flats on the Frampton Park Estate in Hackney and Bethnal Green. Attended Randel Cremer Primary School (Ormsby Street, London E2 8JG). Following a move to Surrey, he attended Cleves Middle School in Weybridge and went on to Heathside Secondary School, Weybridge. His school life was turbulent and, following a series of disciplinaries, he was expelled at the age of 15 without any qualifications.
Early Career
He initially sold cleaning products door-to-door and worked as a Labourer on construction sites before then moving into the Classic Car industry where he dealt in Classic and Vintage vehicles, ranging from MG's to Rolls Royces and E-Type Jaguars. He was involved in restoration works and supplied some of London's show rooms with luxury vehicles.
He then became an Importer of Asian furniture & curios, and spent time travelling around India where he located and collected individual one-off pieces to bring to the UK.
Businesses
Churchill Homes & Estates Limited - In the 1980's, he built a portfolio of rental properties before eventually going into development with his own company Churchill Homes & Estates Limited.
Logistical Supplies Limited - During the 2020 worldwide CoVid Pandemic, he set up a vending machine business to import and distribute disposable masks to major shopping centres across the country.
Prestige Pawnbrokers and Posh Pawn - Following the Lehman Brothers' collapse in 2008 and the ensuing economic crash in the UK, he established the concept of loans against luxury assets where well-heeled clients could borrow money secured against their luxury goods.
Posh Pawn TV Series - A Channel Four production company became interested in Prestige and commissioned a pilot Posh Pawn show based on the Prestige business. This was first aired on UK TV in September 2013. The first series was then commissioned, followed by a further 51 one-hour episodes which aired globally.
Personal Life
Never married. Two children.
James John Constantinou (born 7th April 1967) is an entrepreneur, CEO and Founder of Prestige Pawnbrokers, star of TV Show 'Posh Pawn', public figure and an expert in pre-loved luxury items.
Early Life
Constantinou was born on 7 April 1967 in Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, East London. His father (Greek Cypriot) was a shoe manufacturer, and his mother (English) a seamstress. He lived in Council flats on the Frampton Park Estate in Hackney and Bethnal Green. Attended Randel Cremer Primary School (Ormsby Street, London E2 8JG). Following a move to Surrey, he attended Cleves Middle School in Weybridge and went on to Heathside Secondary School, Weybridge. His school life was turbulent and, following a series of disciplinaries, he was expelled at the age of 15 without any qualifications.
Early Career
He initially sold cleaning products door-to-door and worked as a Labourer on construction sites before then moving into the Classic Car industry where he dealt in Classic and Vintage vehicles, ranging from MG's to Rolls Royces and E-Type Jaguars. He was involved in restoration works and supplied some of London's show rooms with luxury vehicles.
He then became an Importer of Asian furniture & curios, and spent time travelling around India where he located and collected individual one-off pieces to bring to the UK.
Businesses
Churchill Homes & Estates Limited - In the 1980's, he built a portfolio of rental properties before eventually going into development with his own company Churchill Homes & Estates Limited.
Logistical Supplies Limited - During the 2020 worldwide CoVid Pandemic, he set up a vending machine business to import and distribute disposable masks to major shopping centres across the country.
Prestige Pawnbrokers and Posh Pawn - Following the Lehman Brothers' collapse in 2008 and the ensuing economic crash in the UK, he established the concept of loans against luxury assets where well-heeled clients could borrow money secured against their luxury goods.
Posh Pawn TV Series - A Channel Four production company became interested in Prestige and commissioned a pilot Posh Pawn show based on the Prestige business. This was first aired on UK TV in September 2013. The first series was then commissioned, followed by a further 51 one-hour episodes which aired globally.
Personal Life
Never married. Two children.