Alex Proud
Alexander Proud | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 September 1969 |
| Education | University of York |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
Alexander Proud is a British entrepreneur born in Hove, England on 14 September 1969.[1] He was educated at Tonbridge School and then the University of York, where he studied politics.[2][3] His father was the stamp dealer Ted Proud.[4]
In 1998 he founded Proud Gallery,[5] in London, which has since grown into the Proud Group.
Early career
[edit]On leaving the University of York in 1991, Proud began an apprenticeship with a Japanese art dealer in London before opening his first gallery in 1994, selling rare Japanese prints.[citation needed]
Proud Group
[edit]In the autumn of 1998, Proud founded the photography gallery Proud Central in London’s West End.[6] It has since re-branded as Proud Galleries.
Since its inception, the Proud Group has expanded into a number of areas including live music events, cabaret shows and restaurants.[7]
Proud Camden was located in the 200-year-old Grade II listed Horse Hospital in the Stables Market in Camden, London.[8] The venue has been restored, but it retains most of its original features. It closed in 2018.[9]
In 2018, Proud Embankment was opened under Waterloo Station.[10]
In a 2020 investigation by The Times, five young female employees accused Proud of bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. Proud denied the allegations.[2]
Other work
[edit]With photographer Rankin, Proud co-founded the photographic art book publishers Vision On,[11] launching with Rankin’s books Nudes, Snog and CeleBritation, Audrey Hepburn by Bob Willoughby, and over 100 other titles.
Since 2013, Proud featured as a returning dealer on the Channel 4 series Four Rooms,[12] wherein entrepreneurs and businessmen and women are pitched collectibles from members of the public. Four Rooms won Best Daytime award at 2014's Royal Television Society awards.[13]
Proud served as a judge on Channel 4’s Picture This with photographer Martin Parr of the Magnum Photos photo agency and Brett Rogers of the Photographers' Gallery.[14]
Proud wrote a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph from November 2015 to July 2016.[15] He has also written for the London Evening Standard[16] and The Sunday Times.[17]
Proud is active in politics engaging with development proposals local to the Camden community, serving as a vice chairman for Camden Town Unlimited, and also worked as an advisor to the former Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy.[18] On the day of the 2017 general election, Proud emailed over 500,000 voters offering them a free drink if they voted progressively. The Electoral Commission warned he could face imprisonment and fines for bribery. Proud said the offer was a joke sent out of "desperate frustration".[19]
Proud has been invited to judge several photography competitions including the Nikon Press Awards and The Observer Hodge Awards.[20]
In 2008 Proud co-founded the Sony World Photography Award.[21]
Personal life
[edit]As of 2013, Proud lived between East Sussex and London.[22] He is 5”6 tall.
References
[edit]- ↑ Ray, Ian (20 September 2010). "Proud to be a Brighton boy". The Argus. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- 1 2 Wilkinson, Sophie; Pogrund, Gabriel (8 March 2020). "Gallery owner Alex Proud 'followed intern upstairs and unzipped dress'". The Times. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Carrier, Dan (8 March 2018). "Rock'n'roll models and the story of Proud". Camden New Journal. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Keate, Georgie (17 November 2017). "Celebrity hangout owners in court over family feud". The Times. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Kenber, Charlie (19 February 2014). "What to do: Out and Proud". LondonCalling.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ "Linda Scott, 'The Global Herald', 16 December 2010, Profile: Alex Proud – Nightclub & Gallery Owner". Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2013.
- ↑ Addison, Giles. "Giles Addison, 'To Be Continued', Proud To Present...Alex Proud". To Be Continued Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
- ↑ Historic England (3 September 1981). "Horse Hospital (1258100)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- ↑ Sheppard, Owen (12 February 2018). "I'm devastated by Proud Camden's closure after 17 years, says founder". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ "Alex Proud to open new venues after closing Camden club". Bar Magazine. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ↑ "Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Alex Proud, gallerist and club owner". Kentishtowner. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ "Four Rooms - Profiles - Alex Proud". Channel 4. Archived from the original on 27 April 2016.
- ↑ Ritchie, Kevin (19 March 2014). ""Gogglebox," "Four Rooms" win RTS awards". Realscreen. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ Kiss, Jemima (21 December 2007). "Inside some of Channel 4's new media projects". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ "Alex Proud". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Smyth, David (19 July 2016). "Farewell to Amy Winehouse, the Camden girl". Evening Standard. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ Proud, Alex (16 March 2014). "He's gotta have it". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ Morrow, Jonathan (19 January 2008). "The 5-minute Interview: Alex Proud, gallery owner". The Independent. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ Vowles, Neil (13 June 2017). "Entrepreneur accused of bribing young voters with drink offer". The Argus. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Elena Leo, 'New Style Magazine', 7 March 2011, Alex Proud Profile". Archived from the original on 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ↑ Goldstein, Mark (18 February 2008). "Sony World Photography Awards Shortlist". Photography Blog. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
- ↑ Proud, Alex (16 December 2013). "Why I swapped London for the glorious sticks". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 August 2025.