Gymshark’s Ben Francis, Bolton brothers George and Mike Heaton, and former international hockey player Nadine Merabi are just some of the fashion founders to make BusinessCloud’s inaugural Founder 250 list.
The UK-wide list celebrates 250 of the country’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.
To qualify, companies must have a significant UK presence, be cash-generative and have been founded no later than 2024.
The list primarily focuses on businesses where the founder is still involved in some capacity, although not necessarily on a day-to-day basis.
RSM UK is the headline sponsor of the Founder 250, alongside law firm CG, property specialist OBI and investor Mercia Ventures.
Gymshark
One of the highest-profile fashion founders is Ben Francis, of Solihull-based cult fitness community and apparel brand Gymshark.
In the early 2010s, his life was a mix of attending Aston University, delivering pizzas across Birmingham and late-night lifting at the gym.
His passion for fitness sparked the idea for Gymshark. He’s reported to be in talks to buy a portion of his business back.
Bolton brothers George and Mike Heaton have grown their British luxury streetwear brand REPRESENT into a global business since starting out in a back garden shed in 2011.
REPRESENT now has flagship stores in London, Manchester and Los Angeles, and its products have been worn by the likes of Dua Lipa and Justin Bieber.
Another pair of brothers making their mark on the global fashion stage are Castore founders Tom and Phil Beahon.
Under its ethos, ‘Better Never Stops’, Castore has become a global sportswear brand, and in 2023 it secured a £150m investment that valued the business at £950m.
Nadine Merabi is the founder of her namesake fashion company, but that only tells part of the story.
Before launching her business, she was a professional hockey player for England. After 10 years in the sport, she moved into a career in event planning in Manchester but grew fed up with the lack of quality, affordable occasionwear.
A much smaller business is Harper, which has sustainability in its DNA. Founded by Liam and Sarah Young in 2015, Harper addresses the significant returns problem that blights the fashion industry.
Although not essential, the Founder 250 judges were also looking for businesses with a clear purpose, including B Corp status, ESG strategies, or a commitment to charity or social impact.
A second smaller ‘Ones to Watch’ list of founder businesses will be published later in the year.
Note: Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the information on the list. However, if you spot any errors, please email us here
| Founder name(s) | Company | Sector | Founded | Location | Region | Full profile | Female founder? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexa & Richard Sutcliffe | Passenger | Fashion | 2012 | New Milton | South East | Full profile | ✔ |
| Andrew Xeni | Nobody’s Child | Fashion | 2015 | London | Greater London | Full profile | |
| Anne Louise Dempsey | Anne Louise Boutique | Fashion | 2020 | London | Greater London | Full profile | ✔ |
| Ben Francis | Gymshark | Fashion | 2012 | Birmingham | Midlands | Full profile | |
| Cally Russell, James Sutherland & Hilde Frydnes | This is Unfolded | Fashion | 2021 | Edinburgh | Scotland | Full profile | ✔ |
| Dan Wilkins & Adam Morning | CAPO | Fashion | 2017 | Accrington | North West | Full profile | |
| Daniel Yeun & Kieran Riddell-Austin | Montirex | Fashion | 2019 | Speke | North West | Full profile | |
| Gareth Newman | Blakely Clothing | Fashion | 2012 | Briston / Melton Constable | East of England | Full profile | |
| George & Mike Heaton | Represent Clothing | Fashion | 2011 | Bolton | North West | Full profile | |
| Hyrum Cook | Adanola | Fashion | 2015 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | |
| Liam & Sarah Young | Harper | Fashion | 2016 | London | Greater London | Full profile | ✔ |
| Lucy & Ross Menghini | Six Stories | Fashion | 2019 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | ✔ |
| Nadine Merabi | Nadine Merabi | Fashion | 2015 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | ✔ |
| Olivia Prince | Murci | Fashion | 2021 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | ✔ |
| Oscar Ryndziewicz | DFYNE | Fashion | 2021 | Glasgow | Scotland | Full profile | |
| Phil & Tom Beahon | Castore | Fashion | 2015 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | |
| Ross Worswick & Scott Shashua | The Couture Club | Fashion | 2015 | Manchester | North West | Full profile | |
| Ryan & Reece Broadhurst | ARNE | Fashion | 2018 | Warrington | North West | Full profile |