Michael Smith - Honorary Degree - University of Leicester

The University of Leicester has conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws upon Michael Smith, founder and former Chairman of Shoe Zone shoe retailers.

Michael Smith was founder and Chairman of Shoe Zone shoe retailers. He was born locally and was educated at Uppingham School. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant before working as Finance Director of Drury Holdings from1965 to 1972, and Francis Parker from 1972 to 1979.

His grandfather was a footwear manufacturer and owned shares in BensonShoe, a shoe store company. In 1980, Michael Smith and his brother were able to buy out BensonShoe, which by then had 48 stores; they then went on to acquire other local shoe companies, such as the Oliver Group, Shoefayre and Stead and Simpson.

The Shoe Zone name was adopted in 2000, and Michael Smith served as the company’s chairman until 2014. He also served as Non-executive Director of the Market Harborough Building Society and General Commissioner of Taxes (Leicester Division), including a period as Chairman.

ShoeZone currently owns over 500 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, sells 20 million pairs of shoes annually and has 3,750 employees. The Shoe Zone Trust was established under Michael Smith’s chairmanship in 2005, and has made charitable donations of over £1 million.

This film was produced by External Relations, University of Leicester.