Speakers

Touker Suleyman has 50 years' retail and manufacturing experience and is best known as the owner of British menswear brand, Hawes & Curtis and womenswear label, Ghost. Touker joined the Den in 2015 (Series 13).  

After a false start in accountancy, Touker kicked off his retail career at the age of 18. He entered into a joint venture in a leather factory and soon after established a clothing manufacturer, supplying to some of the biggest names of the British high street.

Touker’s rise in the business world has not been without challenges. In the 1980s auditors identified significant debt behind one of his business ventures and he had six weeks to find £2 million. Unfortunately a potential investor pulled out, forcing the business into liquidation, and he had to start again from nothing.

Touker went on to build a thriving international clothing manufacturer which still sits at the heart of his businesses. He and his daughter have recently launched Tashola – a trendy jewellery retail brand.  He is also now a serial entrepreneur, backing seven retail and commercial property businesses. Touker has a keen interest in supporting start-ups and invests in a number of small British companies including Loop Generation (Circular Fashion), Matchstick Monkey (baby teethers & toys) and Sonisk (on-the-go toothbrushes & dental care).