Who is Nick Jones?
Nick Jones is widely recognised today as one of the UK’s most successful businessmen, but he wasn’t academically gifted and had a tough time at school - something he says can be largely explained by his dyslexia.
Jones was born on September 22, 1963 in Cobham, Surrey. He was sent to boarding school aged seven and left school at 17 to embark on a career in catering.
He later joined the Trusthouse Forte training scheme in 1980. He spent eight years with the group, rising to marketing manager at Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane. In the 1980s, Jones created Over the Top, a small group of restaurants.
His golden ticket arrived when he opened the first ever Soho House above his Cafe Boheme restaurant in 1995. In 1998, he acquired Babington House in Somerset, rebranding the property as a hotel and private members club complete with a cinema.
Jones divorced his first wife Tania in 1998. He met his second wife, Scottish radio and television presenter Kirsty Young, at Babington House six months afterwards and the pair got married at the venue a year later.
Jones shares two children with his first wife and two children with Young.
In 2003, Jones launched Soho House New York with 24 bedrooms, a cinema, bar, restaurant, Cowshed spa and private members club. The Soho House brand continued to expand and today, there are over 40 outposts around the world, with more coming down the pipeline.
Jones has also added other hospitality outfits to his empire, including restaurant brands such as Cecconi’s, Electric Diner, Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger.
In 2016, Jones announced the launch of Soho Home, a line of furnishings and accessories available to purchase online. Soho House had long been known for its chic interiors and as more and more items were manufactured in house, Jones decided to create Soho House’s own product line.
In November 2022, Jones announced he would
step down from his role as CEO of Soho House and transition to founder. Andrew Carnie, who had served as president of Soho House since September 2020 and was previously chief commercial officer, replaced him in the role of CEO.
Jones revealed that his decision to step down came after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The cancer was caught early and successful treatment means he is now cancer free.
Jones said the experience “changed my perspective and focus” and that he would be focusing on the “creative and membership aspects” of Soho House moving forward.
In August 2025, it was announced that Soho House had been acquired by
MCR Hotels–the third-largest owner operator in the United States–in a deal valuing the company at £1.99bn. As a result Soho House will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange and will be taken back into private ownership.
As a majority shareholder, Nick Jones retains his stake in the business following the deal,as does billionaire executive chairman Ron Burkle.
In October 2025, Nick Jones announced he would be opening a new London hotel, marking his first hotel opening since stepping down as CEO at Soho House in 2022.
St. Clement Hotel will be situated above his newest venture, Corner Shop 180 and comprise 90 bedrooms, a rooftop restaurant, a gym as well as 15 loft-style apartments near Temple in the capital.
The hotel, like Corner Shop 180, will operate under Jones’ new company, Jones & Co (Hotels, Restaurant and Residences).
