Focus: Kilt Hire
Richard Freedman
Age: 32
Company: ACS Clothing
In the six years since founding ACS Clothing with his father, Freedman has grown the company into the world’s largest supplier of kilts, with a turnover of £2.5m. With £2m of funding secured to finance further growth. Freedman is looking to diversify into new markets and recently launched a new brand, Taylor Rae. A company reliant on seasonal staff, Freedman would like to see the government both simplify employment regulations and offer tax breaks to help businesses grow.
2016 update:
Freedman remains as CEO of ACS Clothing and has overseen its nationwide growth and expansion into formal and evening wear. The company acquired formal hirewear company Etiquette Formal Hire in 2011 and also operates Xedo, a software business that provides services to the hire and wedding industries. ACS secured £8.5m in funding from the Business Growth Fund in January 2014 to fuel its expansion. In September 2015 it closed another £8.8m in follow-on investment to facilitate expansion in the US.
