Edward Sahakian

Spear’s Review

Father of the ebullient Eddie (q.v.), Edward Sahakian settled in the UK when the Iranian Revolution made his home country unsafe (he had held the national franchise for Coca-Cola).

Now a serene and tutelary angel amid the buzz of his shop, he decided to open Davidoff’s first UK outlet after a lunch nearly 40 years ago with his lawyer, when he was at a loose end. Zino Davidoff gave the blessing from his Geneva fastness and Davidoff of London was born. While Sahakian no longer issues direct orders to the team, he is usually to be found in, or just outside, the store on St James’s, puffing on one of his many offerings and dispensing advice and wisdom.