Quentin Griffiths, the British entrepreneur who co-founded online fashion giant ASOS, has died after falling from his apartment in Pattaya, Thailand. He was 58. Police found his body on the ground below a 17th-floor balcony at his residential building. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the fall, though no clear signs of disturbance were found inside the apartment.
Key Takeaways
- Griffiths co-founded ASOS in 2000 and served as marketing director until 2005
- He earned roughly £15 million from share sales in 2010 and received additional stock payouts in 2013
- At the time of his death, he was involved in two ongoing court cases, including disputes with his Thai ex-wife and his accounting firm
- Police have not ruled out foul play, and a post-mortem examination is expected
Background
Griffiths launched ASOS alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan. The company transformed from a startup into a £3 billion global retailer that dressed high-profile figures including the Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama. Griffiths worked as the company's marketing director before stepping down in 2005. He kept a significant shareholding, which became the foundation of his wealth.
He wasn't just an ASOS man. Griffiths also co-founded Achica, another online retail venture focused on luxury goods. This move showed his appetite for the growing e-commerce space during the early 2000s.
Griffiths relocated to Thailand around 2007. Over the years, he built a life there while maintaining his business interests back home.
Key Details
Financial Success and Legal Troubles
The money rolled in during the early years. From his ASOS stake, Griffiths made around £15 million when he sold shares in 2010. He received another windfall from stock payments in 2013. But wealth brought complications.
He sued his accounting firm, BDO, claiming they gave him bad tax advice. According to Griffiths, this mistake cost him more than £4 million in excess tax payments after he sold his ASOS and Achica shares. BDO said it would defend the claim.
"We will be defending the claim brought against us, which relates to tax advice given by BDO in the UK and in Guernsey between 2013 and 2015" – BDO spokesperson
The tax dispute wasn't his only legal headache.
Court Cases and Personal Disputes
Griffiths faced serious accusations from his Thai ex-wife. She alleged he stole £500,000 from a company they ran together. She also claimed he forged documents to sell land and shares without her permission. Griffiths denied these allegations.
Last year, Thai authorities arrested and questioned him about the matter. He was released after questioning, but the investigation continued. Police confirmed he was involved in two ongoing court cases at the time of his death.
These weren't minor disputes. They represented real financial and legal pressure in his final years.
The Fall
Police responded to reports of a body at the apartment building. They found Griffiths on the ground below the 17th floor. Emergency teams arrived, but he was already dead.
Authorities examined the apartment and found no clear signs of disturbance. No forced entry. No signs of struggle. But investigators haven't ruled out foul play. A post-mortem examination was scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
The Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting Griffiths's family and working with local authorities in Thailand.
What This Means
Griffiths's death marks the end of a complex chapter in British retail history. He helped build one of the world's most successful online fashion brands during a time when few people shopped on the internet. ASOS became a household name. It dressed millions of people worldwide.
But his later years told a different story. Legal battles. Financial disputes. A life lived far from the UK where he'd built his empire. The circumstances surrounding his death have left questions unanswered.
For ASOS, the company continues without him. It's been years since he stepped down from day-to-day operations. His legacy as a co-founder remains secure, even as the investigation into his death unfolds.
Griffiths is survived by three children. His family is receiving support from the British government while Thai authorities continue their investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Quentin Griffiths's role at ASOS?
Griffiths served as marketing director when he co-founded ASOS in 2000 with Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan. He stepped down from daily operations in 2005 but remained a significant shareholder. His work in marketing helped build ASOS into the global brand it became.
How much was Quentin Griffiths worth?
His wealth came primarily from ASOS shares. He made around £15 million from share sales in 2010 and received additional stock payouts in 2013. His exact net worth at the time of his death hasn't been officially confirmed, but his earnings from ASOS and his stake in Achica made him a wealthy man.
What legal cases was he involved in?
Griffiths was fighting two court battles. One involved a lawsuit against his accounting firm BDO over alleged bad tax advice that cost him more than £4 million. The other centered on accusations from his Thai ex-wife that he stole £500,000 from their company and forged documents. Griffiths denied those allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Quentin Griffiths’s role at ASOS?
Griffiths served as marketing director when he co-founded ASOS in 2000 with Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan. He stepped down from daily operations in 2005 but remained a significant shareholder. His work in marketing helped build ASOS into the global brand it became.
How much was Quentin Griffiths worth?
His wealth came primarily from ASOS shares. He made around £15 million from share sales in 2010 and received additional stock payouts in 2013. His exact net worth at the time of his death hasn’t been officially confirmed, but his earnings from ASOS and his stake in Achica made him a wealthy man.
What legal cases was he involved in?
Griffiths was fighting two court battles. One involved a lawsuit against his accounting firm BDO over alleged bad tax advice that cost him more than £4 million. The other centered on accusations from his Thai ex-wife that he stole £500,000 from their company and forged documents. Griffiths denied those allegations.
