Paul Smith Group Holdings, Smith's Nottingham-based fashion empire, made a £25m profit on sales of £174m in 2009-10. Overseas stores take the total sales figure to about £350m. In 2006, Japanese licensee Itochu bought a 40% stake in the business from Smith's wife, Pauline, 70, and his business partner, John Morley. Smith, 64, retains nearly 60% of the company, a holding now worth £180m, and has other wealth.