George Hammer
George Hammer
George Hammer is an acclaimed beauty entrepreneur. He founded Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden and introduced Aveda products to the UK.
He has also collaborated with other niche brands such as Murad, Leighton Denny and Phillip Kingsley.
He is currently the Chief Content Officer of IBM, where he designs content programs and strategies that connect the company with its audience. Prior to this role, he served as SVP of content at Digitas where he managed campaigns for clients such as Accenture, HP, GE and LEGO.
Early Life and Education
George Hammer was born on March 6, 1931 in Pencer, Minnesota and grew up on a farm. He assisted his parents with their business endeavors while attending Beaver Township country school until the 8th grade.
He was an enthusiastic member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved fishing and camping. Tragically, on March 27, 2018 at age 95 he passed away.
He owned and managed the Urban Retreat group of beauty salons in London, including Marylebone, Mayfair and Horseguards avenue locations. Additionally, he secured UK rights for Aveda as well as partnered with luxury French Provencal cosmetics brand L’Occitane.
Professional Career
George Hammer is a renowned global marketing executive who creates brands that customers adore, the world needs, and shareholders appreciate. He currently leads an award-winning global marketing team at Tripadvisor after previously serving as Chief Content Officer of IBM.
George has made deliberate career transitions that reflect his desire to focus on happiness and learning. He believes failures are actually teachings – how business works, how teams get better, and how creative work can both satisfy customers and improve society.
His latest project, ‘Code & Response’ (2019), examines one of the worst years on record for natural disasters-taxing governments, taxing relief organizations and overwhelming communities as they try to recover. He explains how code can assist responders during these catastrophes.
Achievements and Honors
George Hammer is a British beauty and hospitality entrepreneur best known as the founder of Urban Retreat brand. He has also launched numerous other businesses and brands throughout his career.
Since 1958, West Ham Supporters Club has recognized players whose outstanding contribution to their club with a Hammer of the Year award. Andy Malcolm was the inaugural recipient and since then famous names such as Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters and Sir Trevor Brooking have all received this honor.
Bonnie Hammer is Vice Chairman at NBCUniversal and serves as strategic advisor to Jeff Shell, CEO. With her extensive business and creative experience, extensive industry connections, and dedication to prosocial advocacy, Bonnie has led USA Network, SYFY, Bravo and Oxygen through record growth periods for each network. Additionally, Bonnie created award-winning series such as “Monk,” “Mr Robot,” “The Sinner” and “Homecoming.”
Personal Life
George Hammer is a British entrepreneur best known for creating Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden, London and introducing Aveda to the UK by selling his share to Estee Lauder.
He has invested in several niche beauty brands such as Murad, Leighton Denny, Daniel Sandler Cosmetics and Joan Collins Beauty.
After more than two decades in the beauty industry, he decided to turn his passion into a career and opened Urban Retreat, the first super-salon concept in Knightsbridge, London in 2002.
Hammer also founded a cosmetic brand called “all for eve,” in memory of his sister-in-law Nadia who passed away from cancer in 2009. He currently resides with his wife Nemri in west London with their daughter Reena.
Net Worth
George Hammer is an esteemed marketing executive and the leader of Tripadvisor’s global team. Prior to that, he served as Chief Content Officer at IBM where he spearheaded transformations in storytelling, product management and content marketing.
He is the great-grandson of oil tycoon Armand Hammer, who made his family wealthy through investments in Occidental Petroleum.
Hammer has amassed an immense fortune, yet he is known for spending too much. In 1996, he filed for bankruptcy.
He’s a renowned figure in the beauty industry, having opened Sanctuary Spa at Covent Garden and introduced Aveda to the UK. Currently he’s developing a commercial beauty brand.