Who is Greg Josephson, the Universal Store co-founder allegedly killed in Brisbane house party stabbing?

News.com.au

2 days ago

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.