Latest news with #GregJosephson
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Universal Store co-founder, Australian CEO stabbed to death at house party, 15-year-old boy arrested
An Australian CEO was stabbed to death at his mansion at the Brisbane suburb of Clayfield Thursday night at the house party that he hosted. A 15-year-old boy was one of the attendees of the party war arrested and charged with murder. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 59-year-old Greg Josephson, who co-founded youth clothing company Universal Store with his brother Miceal in 1999, was hosting the gathering of around 30 teenagers at his house. According to reports, Josephson and the alleged killer got into an altercation at the party and the teen grabbed a household item to stab Josephson. When the Queensland Police arrived at Josephson's house, the CEO was alive but critically wounded. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. The alleged killer was captured two blocks south of Josephson's home. Detectives were working to determine the circumstances of his death, confirming they had located the alleged weapon used, but would not elaborate on other details, local reports claimed. The responding officers described the murder scene as chaotic, the reports added. 'It was a confusing situation because it was a party, obviously, and when police turn up at a party it was confusing until obviously all persons present understood what was going on and why police were there,' Detective acting superintendent Craig Williams told Brisbane Times. A triple-zero call had been made to police, Williams said, but whether the call came from inside the home was still being investigated. Josephson founded the Universal Store in 1999 with his brother Michael, with the first store opening in Carindale in Brisbane's eastern suburbs. The brothers no longer own the company, having sold it for $100 million in 2018. As of December, there were more than 80 Universal Store shopfronts across Australia. Josephson was most recently the chief executive of Josephson Holdings, and previously held roles at Westfield and Lendlease.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
Australian CEO, 58, Stabbed To Death During House Party, 15-Year-Old Arrested
A 58-year-old Australian CEO has died after allegedly being stabbed by a 15-year-old during a house party in Brisbane. According to The Guardian, Greg Josephson, the co-founder of clothing company Universal Store, was hosting a house party with around 30 teenagers when he was found dead at his mansion on Thursday. A 15-year-old boy, who was known to the entrepreneur, was arrested near the home and was later charged with one count of murder. Mr Josephson co-founded the youth-focused Universal Store clothing company with his brother, Michael, in 1999. Officers responded to a call on Thursday evening and arrived at the residence hosting a party with around 30 teenagers present. At the scene, cops found the entrepreneur's body inside, but most of the teens were unaware of what had happened, officials said. The 15-year-old was then located on a nearby street, police allege. "At this stage, the initial investigation indicates that no other persons were involved other than the 15-year-old boy," Det Acting Supt Craig Williams said, per The Guardian. Mr Williams confirmed that police had also located the alleged weapon. The boy was questioned and was later charged with one count of murder and refused police bail, officials said. According to the New York Post, Mr Josephson knew his alleged killer before the two got into an altercation. The teen allegedly grabbed a household item to stab the 58-year-old. "It's distressing for the family. It's distressing for the community and for ... innocent people who are at the house who have nothing to do with it, so all possible support's being offered to those people," Mr Williams said. In a statement, a Universal Store spokesperson confirmed the death of its co-founder. We wanted to share the sad news that Greg Josephson, who founded our company and played a significant role until 2018, has recently passed away," a statement said, per the outlet. "Our sincere thoughts and condolences are with his family at this very sad time," the statement added. Mr Josephson sold Universal Store in 2018 for a reported $100 million. According to his LinkedIn profile, he had been the chief executive of Josephson Holdings since 2018.
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Australian CEO Greg Josephson stabbed to death during party at mansion, 15-year-old boy arrested
An Australian CEO was stabbed to death during a house party at his luxurious mansion on Thursday night as police charged a 15-year-old boy with murder. Greg Josephson, who co-founded youth clothing company Universal Store with his brother Michael in 1999, was hosting the large gathering of approximately 30 teenagers at his house in the Brisbane suburb of Clayfield, according to police and multiple reports. Josephson knew his alleged killer before the two got into an altercation at around 8:15 p.m., Queensland Police said, without naming the businessman and suspect. Advertisement 4 Universal Store CEO Greg Josephson was fatally stabbed at his home in Australia on June 26, 2025. The teen allegedly grabbed a household item to stab Josephson. Police arrived at Josephson's home to find the 58-year-old executive critically wounded. He was later pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Authorities captured the teen two blocks south of Josephson's home. He was questioned and later charged with murder. The unidentified teen was held without bail. He was scheduled to appear in Brisbane Children's Court on Friday morning. Advertisement 4 Police conduct investigations at Brisbane-suburb home of Josephson after the fatal stabbing. 9News Josephson purchased the six bedrooms, six bathrooms, three story home for $1.25 million in 2016. The Clayfield enclave is worth an estimated $3.2 million following a 2022 renovation to make his abode feel like 'five-star home,' according to 7News. Josephson had recently put the home on the market as he had planned to move his family two hours north to Noosa. Advertisement 'We're sad to sell but we're relocating to Noosa where we have a house and business interests. But we're proud that we went all out to create a once in a lifetime forever home, and that's what's on offer for someone now,' he said 4 A Universal Store in Perth. Samuel Wiki Universal Store specializes in trend-led clothing for men and women targeting ages 15 to 34, according to the website. Since the 2018 sale Mr Josephson has been chief executive of Josephson Holdings Pty Ltd, according to his LinkedIn, but appears to have kept a relatively low public profile. 'Before I set out to open Universal Store here I went overseas to look at the UK and USA, particularly California, looking at the retail concepts there and then saw what was relevant in Australia,' Josephson said. The company announced Josephson's death in a statement obtained by 9News. 'We wanted to share the sad news that Greg Josephson, who founded our company and played a significant role until 2018, has recently passed away. 4 Police charged the teen with murder. 9News Advertisement Neighbors were left in shock over the high-profile killing, saying the party was very quiet before the stabbing. 'It was extremely quiet, I wouldn't have even known there was a party going on last night,' one neighbor told the Courier Mail. 'There was some sort of altercation that resulted in this 58-year-old male tragically losing his life,' Queensland Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said. Advertisement 'It's not a case of carrying knives, it's unfortunately allotted in a home,' he added. A new law was enacted in September 2024 banning minors from purchasing knives in the Australian state of Queensland. With Post wires
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Inside the astonishing story of the CEO allegedly killed by a 15-year-old boy - as one of his final acts before his untimely death is revealed
Multi-millionaire entrepreneur and Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson had put his sprawling Brisbane mansion on the market just weeks before he was allegedly stabbed to death during a house party at the three-storey home. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with one count of murder after Mr Josephson was found critically injured at the gathering attended by 30 teenagers on Thursday. Officers arrived at the six-bedroom 1930s Art Deco mansion in Clayfield, in the city's inner north, just after 8.15pm and found the CEO unresponsive in an upstairs room. The Oriel Road property, which boasts a swimming pool and two car spaces, had been on the market for just 43 days when tragedy struck. Mr Josephson and his wife Tamra bought the home for $1.91million in 2016, which nine years ago was above today's median house price of $1.88million for Clayfield. The couple embarked on a major renovation, with Mr Josephson explaining at the time how they had planned to 'create a huge garage with a tennis court above it'. 'We were looking for a big family home and this was in very original condition,' he told the Courier Mail earlier this month. The home is listed for sale under Tamra's name along with a neighbouring home on Stafford Street. For almost two decades, Mr Josephson was the director of the Brisbane-based company he had established with his brother Michael in November 1999. This followed a career as a leasing manager with shopping mall and commercial office space owners Westfield, Lendlease and Jones Lang LaSalle. From one store in Carindale, Universal Store has grown to 80 outlets in every state and territory of Australia, as a leader in youth and streetwear fashion with an annual revenue of more than $288million The company is now valued at $573.104 million on the Australian share market. The Josephson brothers sold the business for $100million in September 2018 to private equity investors Five V Capital, Catalyst Direct Capital Management and BBRC Worldwide, which had previously invested in Bras N Things. Universal Store Holdings was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in November 2020 and the brand has continued to grow since the Josephson brothers relinquished control almost seven years ago. It delivered a net profit after tax of $34.3million during the 2023-24 financial year, marking a healthy 45.7 per cent increase. Greg became the chief executive of Josephson Holdings in November 2018 and used his post-retail career to run a bed-and-breakfast and café on the Sunshine Coast. He expanded his hospitality interests in 2021, buying the Noosa Reef Hotel in the ritziest part of the Sunshine Coast for $13.9million. Greg Josephson's love of retail began after he graduated from Griffith University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in marketing. At age 20, he became a leasing executive with Jones Lang LaSalle, before moving to Lendlease in 1991 and Westfield in 1995. He expanded his hospitality interests in 2021, buying the Noosa Reef Hotel in the ritziest part of the Sunshine Coast for $13.9million. Mr Josephson's love of retail began after he graduated from Griffith University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in marketing. At age 20, he became a leasing executive with Jones Lang LaSalle, before moving to Lendlease in 1991 and Westfield in 1995. Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said an altercation took place between the 15-year-old and the father-of-three, who are believed to be known to each other. 'There was some sort of altercation that's resulted in this 58-year-old male tragically, losing his life,' he told The Courier Mail. 'It's not a case of carrying knives, it's unfortunately allotted in a home. 'Police are not looking for any other party, so it was an individual, the 15-year-old is the sole offender that we believe was involved in this incident. 'The guests at the party were not involved in the incident as it unfolded.' Officers found the 15-year-old boy near the property, on Barlow Street, and took him into custody. He was refused police bail and has been taken to hospital.
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Who is Greg Josephson, the Universal Store co-founder allegedly killed in Brisbane house party stabbing?
A wealthy retail entrepreneur allegedly stabbed to death by a teenager during a house party in a ritzy Brisbane suburb had recently listed the 'five-star' mansion for sale and spoke of his sadness at moving the family to Noosa. Greg Josephson, 58, was found dead at his Clayfield house in the city's north, shortly after 8pm on Thursday night. A 15-year-old was arrested at the home. He was later charged with one count of murder. Mr Josephson co-founded the youth-focused Universal Store clothing company with his brother Michael in 1999, in the southeast Brisbane suburb of Carindale. Nearly two decades later the business had grown to 53 stores in six states, with annual turnover of $100 million. They sold the company to a consortium of private equity investors in 2018 for $100 million. It floated on the ASX two years later and today has a market cap of around $570 million. Fashion pedigree Mr Josephson, a Griffith University commerce graduate, had done a stint in Sydney working for Lend Lease, Jones Lang LaSalle and Westfield before moving back to his home town to go into business with his brother, a former lawyer. The brothers had a long fashion pedigree stretching back more than 100 years — their great-grandfather, grandfather and uncle all had clothing businesses in Brisbane. In 1910, great-grandfather Isiodore started Josephson's Clothing Factory, which made menswear in Caxton Street. Grandfather James began Josephson & Sons in 1939, and established the famous Can't Tear 'Em' workwear brand. 'I suppose it's cliche but it's an in-your-blood kind of thing,' Greg told media in 2009. 'It's being exposed to it. My uncle had a factory in Parkview Street where he made and distributed Lee Cooper jeans. I remember walking on the factory floor, eyes bulging, wanting to pick jeans off the shelf.' The brothers took advantage of the expansion of Westfield Carindale to lease one of the 100 new stores in the centre. 'So I bit the bullet, resigned from my job and moved back to Brisbane and thought I'd have a go,' he said. 'I have to say the first couple of years was a big learning curve for me, not having had the actual retail experience but I learnt a lot, learnt fast and then opened a store in the [Fortitude] Valley and progressively we went from there. One thing we're proud of at Universal is the fact we have grown to 15 stores and we are a local Brisbane company,' Mr Josephson said at the time. 'Universal really values its staff, that's what really drives the business.' Universal Store emerged virtually unscathed from the global financial crisis in 2008-09, when other retailers struggled to stay afloat. 'We are quite pleased with the fact we have traded well through what has been called the recession, for the last year, to the point where it's never been better for us,' he said at the time. 'We are significantly up in sales over that period. As a group, against last year, sales were up 30.7 per cent. I think that's due to the prudent management of the company, selling at the right price to the customer. 'Also I think that a lot of our demographic don't have a mortgage and they are prepared to spend money on themselves and the fact they want to look good when they go out. The age group is going out there to pick up and want to look good.' Described as softly spoken and unassuming, Mr Josephson explained how Universal Store's success was partly due to clever product selection. 'Before I set out to open Universal Store here I went overseas to look at the UK and USA, particularly California, looking at the retail concepts there and then saw what was relevant in Australia,' he said. 'We've been quite happy for people to perceive us as being from overseas, Sydney, down south or somewhere else. It is actually flattering because when I first opened the company in the early days I knew I had to compete with the big guys.' Speaking in 2017, Michael likened getting a fashion chain off the ground to flying a jumbo jet. 'Getting off the ground is slow and torturous,' he said. 'Once the plane is flying and gaining altitude from there it starts becoming exponential.' Since the 2018 sale Mr Josephson has been chief executive of Josephson Holdings Pty Ltd, according to his LinkedIn, but appears to have kept a relatively low public profile. He most recently liked a post in March taking aim at a photo of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews. 'One guy bankrupted a state, and is now the mentor of the guy that is trying to bankrupt our nation. What could possibly go wrong?' the post read. House for sale Earlier this month, Greg his wife Tamra Josephson listed their stunning home for sale, along with the neighbouring lot. The couple purchased the Clayfield house in 2017. 'We were looking for a big family home and this was in very original condition,' Mr Josephson told The Courier-Mail. 'It was perched on a peak with vistas to the Gateway Bridge and mountains, and the house had character, a solid structure, and was on a big block.' They renovated the period home into a six-bedroom residence spanning three levels, now boasting six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a rumpus area, alfresco terraces and a pavilion. 'The brief [to the architects] was to give it a five-star hotel feel,' Mr Josephson told the newspaper. 'And with a bit of a minor tweak they also came up with the idea of a parents retreat.' Mr Josephson said the family home now offered ample space for everyone to retreat to. 'Our three children are all teens and each has their own big bedroom,' he said. 'We love the fact it's six bedroom and there's just so much space, with all these breakout areas that you can enjoy. My wife and I can go and sit by our fireplace in the parents retreat and the kids can head to the casual downstairs area on the ground floor.' They purchased the neighbouring block as part of a long-term vision to extend the property with a huge garage and tennis court. 'That next stage is for someone else to do,' Mr Josephson said. 'We're sad to sell but we're relocating to Noosa where we have a house and business interests. But we're proud that we went all out to create a once in a lifetime forever home, and that's what's on offer for someone now.' 'Confronting scene' Police were called to the home on Thursday, where a large party was taking place. Officers arrived to find the man dead upstairs in the home. A crime scene was declared, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the man's death remain ongoing. A large group of teenagers was present at the scene, including a 15-year-old boy. Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman said police allege a household implement was used during an altercation between the man and the teen. 'There was some sort of altercation that's resulted in this 58-year old male tragically losing his life,' he said. 'It's not a case of carrying knives, it's unfortunately allotted in a home.' Following investigations, detectives charged the 15-year-old boy with one count of murder. The teenager was refused bail and will front Brisbane Children's Court on Friday morning. Police said the teenager contacted them to report the incident. 'That male person indicated to us that he had some involvement, had some knowledge of something that had happened here,' Inspector Jane Healy said. 'He is the only person who was aware of what happened.' The boy, along with the other teenagers, were assisting police with their investigation. Inspector Healy said police arrived at a 'confronting' scene. 'We are still establishing the timeline of what has happened at this address. There were about 30 young people here,' Inspector Healy said. 'It's still extremely early and the situation was quite chaotic, confusing and confronting scene when police arrived, 'There's quite a few young people that need to be interviewed, so until we get that done we won't be able to get a real idea of what has happened here.' Mr Wildman confirmed the gathering was a planned event with none of the other attendees involved in the incident. 'Police are not looking for any other party, so it was an individual, the 15-year-old is the sole offender that we allege was involved in this incident.' Mr Wildman said the rest of the teenagers were transported to Boondall Police Station on Thursday night before their families were contacted. 'This is quite a traumatic incident that occurred, so the welfare of those young people will also be considered in this,' he said. The Child Protection Investigation Unit was involved in investigations, police said. Police are urging anyone with information, or with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to come forward to assist with the investigation.
