14 Facts About Mark Birley

Marcus Oswald Hornby Lecky Birley, known as Mark Birley, was a British entrepreneur known for his investments in the hospitality industry.

Mark Birley was the son of Sir Oswald Birley, the royal and society portrait painter, and the artist and gardener Rhoda Vava Mary Lecky Pike.

Mark Birley's sister, Maxime de la Falaise, became a noted fashion model of the 1950s; Maxime's daughter, Loulou de la Falaise, was a muse to the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Mark Birley was educated at Eton where he excelled at drawing.

Mark Birley then started working as a copywriter for J Walter Thompson.

In 1963, Birley founded Annabel's at Berkeley Square in the Mayfair district in central London.

In 1972, Birley opened Mark's Club and continued to expand his portfolio in the restaurant, nightclub and hotel business.

Mark Birley became the owner of the Annabel's Group, which includes Mark Birley Holdings Limited.

In 1979 Mark Birley opened Harry's Bar on South Audley Street in Mayfair.

Mark Birley launched a men's fragrance line, Mark Birley for Men, in 1996, in collaboration with the perfumers Frederic Malle and Pierre Bourdon.

Mark Birley designed the former family offices of Peter Palumbo, Baron Palumbo, in the City of London into a member's club, The Walbrook Club, which opened in 2000.

In 2006 Mark Birley dismissed his son Robin and returned to the helm of his empire, which until his death he ran with his daughter India Jane.

Mark Birley lived at Thurloe Lodge in South Kensington for 30 years.

Mark Birley died on 24 August 2007, aged 77, following a stroke.