- 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.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Matthew Hiscox
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