Tom Lyons on Business

Tycoon Philip Green’s current troubles called to mind a brief encounter with him in 2005

Philip Green and his wife Tina in happier times Picture: Getty
The late Paul Allen of Vulcan Capital

This month 13 years ago, I met Philip Green and his wife Tina in Topshop’s new €5 million flagship fashion store on St Stephen’s Green. The billionaire introduced his wife briefly, before snapping: “So what do you want to know? You have two minutes.” This wasn’t a lot of time to get know anyone, let alone a character like Green.

Asked about prospects for his fashion business, Green ...