Steve Bennett (born 5 February 1966) is a British gemstone expert and serial entrepreneur, who has since focused on the health industry. He is known for his online shopping businesses."TV shopping channel entrepreneur agrees deal to buy rival". Birmingham Post, 25 May 2010
Career
As a young man, Bennett worked in a number of office based computer roles. After losing his job, he set up his own UK company selling computers and later software. This small enterprise later became Software Warehouse, and grew to be a 30 store retail chain in the 1990s. Bennett sold the company in 2000."Software Warehouse's old retail chain shuts doors". Linda Harrison, The Register 8 August 2000
With the advent of the internet, Bennett established jungle.com"The Internet jungle". BBC News, 21 September 1999. which he later sold for £37 million.
Bennet started several more e-commerce, retail and entertainment companies. He set up jewelry retailer Gems TV in 2004"Gems TV Founder: Why I Sold Then Bought Back My Own Business". Forbes, 30 August 2014 Jason Hesse. and The Genuine Gemstone Company in 2007. The company employs about 500 staff members. In 2012 Genuine Gemstone was named to the Fast Track 100 list of fastest growing privately held companies.
As of 2014 the company operates several brands, including Gems TV."Gems TV review – Spinel, tanzanite, tulelei: there's nothing the charming Bennett family can't sell". The Guardian, Tim Dowling, 3 September 2014
Awards and accolades
1997- Software Warehouse wins the first ever Fast Track 100. 2012- The Genuine Gemstone Company tops Sunday Times Fast Track 100 2013- Steve Bennett wins Ernst & Young UK Turnaround Entrepreneur of the Year 2013- The Genuine Gemstone Company wins Jewellery Retailer of the Year
References