As of 2025, Touker Suleyman, aged 71, has an estimated net worth exceeding £200 million.
His journey from a young immigrant to a prominent fashion retail entrepreneur and television personality offers valuable insights into resilience and business acumen.
What Were the Early Influences in Touker Suleyman’s Life?
Born on August 4, 1953, in Famagusta, Cyprus, Touker Suleyman moved to England with his family in 1958, settling in Bermondsey, South London.
Arriving without English language skills, he attended Peckham Manor secondary school. At the age of 10, a severe hand infection caused him to miss a year of school, nearly leading to the amputation of his left hand. He assisted in his family’s restaurant in Camberwell, drawing inspiration from his father’s entrepreneurial spirit.
How Did Touker Suleyman Enter the Fashion Industry?
After leaving school, Suleyman worked as an articled clerk at a chartered accountancy firm in London, earning £5.50 a week. While auditing a clothing company, he took home garments for his grandmother, which she sold to her friends. Recognizing a business opportunity, Suleyman partnered with the manufacturer, operating from a factory in East London. He later founded Kingsland Models, supplying clothing to retailers like C&A, Dorothy Perkins, and Top Shop.
What Are Touker Suleyman’s Notable Business Ventures?
In 1984, Suleyman acquired a small cash-and-carry business, transforming it into Low Profile Group, a clothing manufacturer supplying retailers including Marks & Spencer. The company’s factories are located in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Georgia.
In 2001, through Low Profile Group, he purchased the UK shirt maker Hawes & Curtis for £1, rescuing it from £500,000 in debt. Under his leadership, the company’s turnover increased from £600,000 in 2001 to £30 million in 2014. As of 2014, Hawes & Curtis operated 30 branches in the UK and one in Cologne, Germany.
In 2008, Suleyman acquired the fashion label Ghost after its owner withdrew investment following the collapse of the Icelandic banking market, safeguarding 142 jobs.
Beyond these, he has invested in various start-ups, including Docks Rio (a casual boat shoe brand), Intelligent Futures (an online advertising start-up), Personify XP (an AI personalization start-up), Huxley & Cox (a luxury handbag manufacturer), and Bikesoup (an online marketplace for bicycles).
How Did Touker Suleyman Become a Television Personality?
In 2015, Suleyman joined the investors’ panel on the BBC television program “Dragons’ Den,” alongside Nick Jenkins and Sarah Willingham. His participation in the show has made him a household name in the UK, known for his keen investment insights and support for budding entrepreneurs.
What Challenges Has Touker Suleyman Overcome in His Career?
In the early 1980s, Suleyman took a 29.9% stake in the clothing business Mellins. He was later persuaded that Mellins should buy a stake in retailer Bamber Stores. After accountants discovered that Bamber Stores had falsified records and was £20–26 million in deficit, Suleyman resigned, and the company’s shares were suspended. The collapse of Bamber Stores left him in debt, forcing him to sell his house to repay the bank. This experience taught him the importance of due diligence and cash flow management.
In November 2024, Suleyman was awarded the Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his 50-year career in the fashion industry.
Touker Suleyman’s journey underscores the significance of resilience, strategic investment, and adaptability in achieving sustained success in the competitive world of fashion retail and entrepreneurship.