2011 Profit Track 100
Rank: 66 Republic
Private-equity firm TPG backed a £300m tertiary buyout of the company last year
In 1986 two friends set up shop in a Leeds basement, trading as Just Jeans. As demand for denim faded, they reinvented the operation as a streetwear chain called Republic, selling brands including Diesel, Bench and G-Star. The business now operates 113 shops in Britain and Ireland, and in June last year Texas Pacific Group backed a £300m tertiary buyout from Change Capital. Co-founders Carl Brewins and Tim Whitworth still lead the firm and have helped to push up profits 55% a year, from an annualised £6.2m in 2007 to £23.2m in 2010. The company recently appointed former Asda chief executive Andy Bond as chairman.
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In 1986 two friends set up shop in a Leeds basement, trading as Just Jeans. As demand for denim faded, they reinvented the operation as a streetwear chain called Republic, selling brands including Diesel, Bench and G-Star. The business now operates 113 shops in Britain and Ireland, and in June last year Texas Pacific Group backed a £300m tertiary buyout from Change Capital. Co-founders Carl Brewins and Tim Whitworth still lead the firm and have helped to push up profits 55% a year, from an annualised £6.2m in 2007 to £23.2m in 2010. The company recently appointed former Asda chief executive Andy Bond as chairman.
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Company facts
Republic
Fashion retailer
Company website
| Profit growth | 54.79% pa |
| 2010 profit | £23.2m |
| 2007 profit | *£6.2m |
| 2010 staff | 2,459 |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Location of HQ | Leeds |
| If applicable: * = annualised figures ‡ = draft accounts |
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