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. ARNE opens pop-up store at Bluewater
ARNE, the fashion brand founded by Liverpool brothers Ryan and Reece Broadhurst, has opened a pop-up store at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.
The 2,799 sq ft store will be open for six months and marks the latest milestone in ARNE’s remarkable journey since it was founded in 2018.
The apparel and footwear brand is based at Birchwood Park, near Warrington.
2. Broken leg won’t stop £50m Simmer founder
Simmy Dhillon, the founder of £50m-revenue food business Simmer, is looking on the bright side despite breaking his leg.
Dhillon suffered the injury last week while playing football and won’t be able to walk for two months – but he’s refusing to let the setback get him down.
“There’s no point wasting energy wishing it hadn’t happened,” he said.
Simmy Dhillon (right) is looking on the bright side despite breaking his leg
“My leg is broken – that’s out of my control. So I’ll control the controllables. The leg will heal. Work will carry on.
“And despite the fact my leg is currently snapped in half, I still have an incredible life, which I’m very grateful for. I’m even more grateful for the people in it myself back to full strength whilst running my business.”
His broken leg didn’t stop him attending The Sunday Times 100 Awards at the British Museum, where Simmer was recognised after securing fifth place in the rankings.
3. FuelHub announces hat-trick of senior hires
FuelHub, the premium meal prep company founded by husband-and-wife team Michelle and James Laithwaite, has announced three senior appointments.
FuelHub hires Sarah Ekin, Jo-Anne Postlethwaite and Louise Hawker
Louise Hawker joins FuelHub full-time as finance director, Sarah Ekin joins as product manager and Jo-Anne Postlethwaite joins as technical manager.
The business has achieved compound annual growth of 98 per cent over three years and reported turnover of £6.5m for the financial year ending April 2026.
4. Ancient + Brave founder shares story on podcast
Kate Prince, founder of wellness brand Ancient + Brave, is the latest guest on the Business Leader podcast, hosted by Sir Richard Harpin.
As well as being a certified B Corp, Ancient + Brave is a member of 1% for the Planet, contributing at least one per cent of its revenue to environmental and social causes.
Prince launched the company with £70,000 and has since grown it into a £54m-turnover business.
5. Rise at Seven opens new London office
Search-first content marketing agency Rise at Seven has moved into a new London office.
Carrie Rose founded Rise at Seven in 2019 and has grown the business to more than 100 employees.
Its new London base is in Shoreditch, inside the Creator Campus – a £6m renovation of the former VICE office, bringing together creators, influencers, creatives and marketers.
The move follows the opening of Rise at Seven’s new Manchester HQ earlier this year.
6. Fuse Energy founder backs crackdown on non-compete clauses
Fuse Energy co-founder and CEO Alan Chang has backed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to curb non-compete clauses in employment contracts.
The PM said the restrictions had ‘gone too far’ and were holding back innovative UK companies.
Chang, who co-founded Fuse Energy with Charles Orr in 2022, shared his own experience of how the clauses can prevent businesses from recruiting talent.
He said: “Greg Wilk, who is now CTO at Fuse, joined us from a top hedge fund before Fuse, who had a six month non-compete, during that time he was not allowed to work at any official capacity, he got so bored he built a VR app that made a grand total of $600 in revenue.
“If Greg was allowed to join earlier, Fuse would have been much more valuable today, energy costs would be even lower, and we would have been one step closer to energy abundance. This is a great initiative by the UK government that makes the labour market more competitive, reducing the friction to build in Britain.”
7. Stuart Energy founder Fred celebrates 80th birthday
Happy 80th birthday to Fred Stuart, the founder and chairman of Skelmersdale-based Stuart Energy.
Fred founded the business in 2017 with his two sons, Mark and Lee, while his daughter, Jane Stuart-Puttnam, joined in 2024.
He remains chairman of Stuart Energy, which has ambitions to become Europe’s No. 1 power generation business.
80 not out: Fred Stuart, chairman of Stuart Energy
His son Mark paid tribute to his father, saying: “They say behind every successful business is a great leader, but behind our family business is a man whose values, determination, work ethic and unwavering belief in his family have helped shape everything we are today.
“Dad has taught us that hard work beats talent, your word is your bond, and family always comes first. Building a business is one thing. Building a legacy that your children can carry forward is something entirely different. And that’s exactly what he’s done.”
8. Car Finance 247 on track for record year
Car Finance 247 is on track for a record year, with revenue in the first half of 2026 up 25 per cent compared with the same period in 2025 and EBITDA rising 60 per cent.
The update comes as the car finance platform reports its financial performance for the 18-month period ended 31 December 2025, revealing revenue of £100m and EBITDA of £12.2m.
Founded in 2006 by brothers Reg and Louis Rix, the business has undergone a sustained period of investment and consolidation.
This has included announcing plans to open its first office outside Manchester, in Bournemouth.