As part of a weekly series, BusinessCloud is highlighting updates from some of the companies featured in our Founder 250 list.
The UK-wide list celebrates 250 of the country’s best founder-led and founder-influenced businesses.
RSM UK is the headline sponsor of Founder 250, alongside law firm CG, property specialist OBI and investor Mercia Ventures.
1. Adanola founder makes property move
Hyrum Cook, founder of activewear brand Adanola, is diversifying into property.
His property company, ACLO, has been granted planning permission and listed building consent for Marlsbro House on Newton Street, in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Marlsbro House, Northern Quarter
The scheme will bring the vacant listed building back into use. Built in 1823, Marlsbro House will become a high-quality, mixed-use destination for workspace, hospitality and leisure.
Founded in 2015, Adanola has built a cult following, with high-profile fans including Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
2. MyFirst targets £100m sales in 2027
MyFirst, which provides tailored insurance exclusively for young drivers, is in serious growth mode.
The business was founded by James Noble after he struggled to find a good deal for his first car.
The company is set to hit a £60m run rate in 2026 and pre-tax profits of £4m. MyFirst has grown to more than 80 staff and is targeting £100m of sales in 2027.
3. Purdy & Figg goes big with first OOH campaign
Purdy & Figg, which makes natural cleaning products scented with pure essential oils, has launched its first-ever out-of-home (OOH) advertising campaign.
It was back in 2018 that best friends Purdy Rubin and Charlotte Figg decided to make planet-friendly cleaning products they’d actually feel good using.
Spurred on by Purdy’s two sons, Charlie and Jack, the duo teamed up with chemist Dr Anna Slastanova to develop a range of natural, beautifully scented and refillable cleaning products.
Purdy & Figg’s OOH advertising campaign
They launched their hero product, Counter Clean, at the beginning of 2022 and haven’t looked back since.
Purdy & Figg’s adverts can now be found at Underground stations and on billboards. Louise Canham is the creative director at Purdy & Figg.
4. Secret Garden opens third retreat in a month
Derry Green’s The Secret Garden Glamping continues to go from strength to strength with the opening of its third luxury retreat in the space of a month.
The latest accommodation is in Devon.
Green’s story is remarkable. In 2020, he was facing financial ruin when he hit on the idea of taking his children on a camping trip in their back garden in Skelmersdale.
He built a fully fledged glamping pod, shared photos on social media and the rest, as they say, is history.
Following an appearance on Dragons’ Den, The Secret Garden Glamping has grown turnover to £2m.
5. New addition to Upholstery2U family
Massive congratulations to Danny Boyle, managing director and founder of Upholstery2U, following the birth of his son Luca.
He founded Upholstery2U in 2021 with his brother Michael and has taken a tech-enabled approach to mobile upholstery.
Alongside photos of Luca, he wrote: “For the last few years I’ve spent so much of my life building Upholstery2u. The early mornings, late nights, stress, pressure, risks and everything that comes with trying to build something from nothing. But moments like this remind me what it’s all for. It’s for them. For giving our family the life we want. For creating opportunities. For being able to make memories together. And ultimately, for being able to give our kids the best start we possibly can.”
6. Lineker’s life to be turned into docuseries
Whether as a footballer or broadcaster, Gary Lineker has spent much of the last 50 years on our TV screens.
Now the Goalhanger co-founder is to have his life turned into a four-part docuseries for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.
Gary Lineker’s life is being turned into a Prime docuseries
The series will tell the story of his remarkable 50-year career and launch in 2027.
Goalhanger Podcasts is known for hit shows including The Rest Is History, The Rest Is Politics and The Rest Is Football.
Former footballer turned TV presenter Lineker is the face of Goalhanger, but it’s a team effort alongside Tony Pastor and Jack Davenport.