Speedo, Lacoste and Canterbury are among the popular clothing brands in Pentland’s portfolio. During the pandemic, Lacoste reopened its factories to produce protective clothing for medics, while Berghaus and Endura offered 50% discounts to key workers. Pentland also retains a majority stake in JD Sports — which closed all its stores as Covid-19 struck — after it sold a 2.5% stake, worth £180m, last year to finance the purchase of Speedo’s north American business, completed in April. Founded in 1932, Pentland is led by chairman Stephen Rubin, 82, and his son, Andy, 55, who is deputy chairman.