A Val d’Isère ski slope, La Face, inspired the name of this clothing retailer, launched in 1988 by Jules Leaver and Tim Slade, who decided to sell T-shirts to fund their skiing. Based in Hampshire, with more than 200 shops in Britain, Ireland and America, it is led by chief executive Anthony Thompson, 53, and chairman Lord Rose, 68. Last year, the Bridgepoint-backed retailer grew turnover to £220.7m, helped by its newly opened American stores.