About Mike Clare D.L. Hon DUniv - Executive Chairman of Clarenco
Mike was born and bred in Beaconsfield so being a Deputy Lieutenant and a 'Buckinghamshire Ambassador', makes him especially proud of his Buckinghamshire involvements and heritage. Nowadays, Mike lives in the Buckinghamshire Chiltern countryside with his wife Carol and family. Mike was educated at Davenies School, Chalfont's Community College and High Wycombe College (now BNU) before starting a career in the retail furniture industry, which ultimately led to him opening his own bed store at the age of 30.
Although a serial entrepreneur, Mike is probably best known as the founder of Dreams which he launched with one store in 1987 growing to over 250 superstores before Mike eventually stepped down as Chairman and CEO in 2008, although he still remains involved as a major shareholder and non-Executive President.
Mike realised he wasn't quite ready for retirement in 2008 so he decided to pursue his love of unique & iconic properties making a hobby into a business. Mike formed Clarenco LLP in 2009 and has now built up a considerable property portfolio of amazing & unusual properties such as Towers, Castles, Forts and Monasteries (throughout Britain) under the Amazing Retreats brand. These properties are let out for exclusive use, weddings and corporate events.
Clarenco LLP has also invested in many pre-let commercial properties in the High Wycombe and Slough as well as larger residential homes through Beaconsfield Executive Homes. Another division of Clarenco is Country Manor Estates which as the name suggests specialises in the sale and letting of substantial country houses.
Mike's investment company Cygnus LLP has over the past two years made significant investments in Threadneedle, Westbridge, Today Retail and Sunseeker.
The Clare Foundation was created by Mike and Carol in 2009,
to support and improvethe efficiency of charities throughout the
UK and help them become more commercial and entrepreneurial. Based in Saunderton, near High Wycombe, The Clare Foundation also acts as a hub for local charities by offering subsidised accommodation and shared resources.
Mike also supports many other philanthropical organisations including The Princes Trust, the Retail Trust, Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, Wycombe 4C, Bucks Business Foundation and Skidz.
More recently, Mike through a joint collaboration with Bucks New has launched the Clare Business School. This is an exciting new initiative enabling the Education and Business sectors to work together and work closely by bringing 'real live business' experience to students in Bucks.
Among all of this, Mike still finds time to help and mentor many local businesses and entrepreneurs and is often heard on the speaker circuit, lecturing and advising students and business men helping make their 'Dreams come true'.
Mike is a Freeman of the City of London, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors and a winner of numerous entrepreneurial awards. In 2009 Mike was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bucks New University in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of commerce and entrepreneurship.
In their spare time, Mike and Carol enjoy travelling the world (literally) seeing different countries and cultures from their apartment on board 'The world'……. the unique residential luxury ship that constantly circumnavigates the Globe.
In 'Who's Who', Mike lists his interests and hobbies as simply... "Making dreams come true"!