The investment in fashion operator Americana and its Hooch and Bench brands, was anything but textbook. While others saw a company with brand confusion and no clear growth strategy we saw an unconventional investment opportunity with the opportunity to back two really talented people.

We designed an organisational structure that fitted around the needs of the founders and turned a local clothing label into a global fashion business. We provided the glue that held the fabric of the company together – creating the right environment for rapid international growth without crowding out the talents of the two founders.

“I look back fondly on a dinner in Munich early in the investment. Simon Hague and I had just persuaded Hanjo Argendorff to join the Americana journey and head up Export Sales. We knew we had a nugget in the Northern European opportunity and the meeting of minds was a special moment.” Mark Turner, ISIS

• Rolled out expansion programme across Europe, North America and Asia.

• Turnover tripled from £25m in 2002 to £80m in 2007.

• An eightfold return on investment (these returns include the proceeds of refinancing in 2004 and 2005).

• A coherent strategy and new brand positioning.

• Investment in IT, financial systems and warehousing ensured the business could handle forecast growth.

• Chairman, MD and FD appointed. Second tier management team strengthened.

1998:
Business established headquarters in Manchester

2002:
Turnover £25 million, design team of 2, 1% of revenues came from outside the UK

2003:
ISIS back £20 million Buy Out, backing 2 founders Nayaf Marar and Simon Hague. 118 employees, products sold primarily to UK retailers, European sales commenced

2004:
FD, Chairman and MD hired

2004/2005:
Re-financings and significant investment in operating platform

2006:
Design team of over 30

2007:
ISIS sells Americana. Grown to 350 employees, turnover £80 million, 14% of revenues came from outside the UK. Generated an investment return of 8x