An ex-nightclub promoter who met Mike Ashley's daughter while on holiday in Majorca is set to take over the reigns of the Sport Direct founder's retail empire after earning millions as the firm's 'head of elevation'.
Michael Murray, 31, will become chief executive of Frasers Group, replacing his prospective father-in-law who is stepping back to become deputy chairman.
The Doncaster-born son of a property developer first started helping 56-year-old Ashley with personal property deals a few years after he reportedly met the businessman's eldest daughter Anna on vacation in 2011.
The couple are now engaged and live together in a £10.7million mansion in the affluent district of Belgravia, central London.
He had been promoted to 'head of elevation' and tasked with modernising the group, revamping its Sports Direct stores and expanding its more upmarket Flannels business.
He isn't on the company payroll and doesn't even sit on the board but has collected more than £15million in fees over the last few years while acting as a consultant.
Michael Murray, who is engaged to Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley's daughter Anna. He will become chief executive of Frasers Group, replacing his prospective father-in-law who is stepping back to become deputy chairman
Mike Ashley, 56, and his wife Linda pictured arriving to attend a select committee hearing at Portcullis house in June 2016 in London
The Sports Direct founder pictured in August this year
Mike Ashley has rapidly grown his retail operation in recent years, snapping up a number of distressed British brands including Evans Cycles, Jack Wills and Game.
The discount sports retailer purchased ailing House of Fraser in 2018 after the department store chain collapsed into administration.
It paid £90million in cash to buy the high street group, which included all of its UK stores, the branding and all of its stock.
And in November last year, Ashley offered an emergency £50million loan to help tide Sir Philip Green's struggling Arcadia Group over until Christmas.
But his offer was angrily dismissed at the time as a 'publicity stunt' by sources close to Sir Philip.
One said: 'Sir Philip is not keen to jump into bed with a chancer like Mike Ashley.'
Sir Philip and Ashley – known as 'Masher' to his inner circle – were friends, but tension between the two grew as their high street rivalry intensified.
The offer of a loan from a major retail rival was described as 'provocative' by City sources and likely irritated Sir Philip - a flamboyant businessman once branded the 'King of the High Street'.
Friends of Sir Philip previously said the loan offer was being dismissed as no more than Ashley 'having a bit of fun'.
Frasers Group is now worth around £3billion and operates almost 1,000 shops.
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Mr Murray is said to be extremely close to Ashley, with one source saying he has the Newcastle United owner's ear and that the pair 'thrash out business deals over drinks or dinner or on family
