Fast-growing corporate couture firm NKD Clothing has started a global drive to take its services beyond the UK.
As a specialist in providing stylish and bespoke staff uniforms and work wear, the Edinburgh-based company has already enjoyed success across Britain.
Contracts with respected hotel groups like Malmaison and Hotel du Vin have helped it grow rapidly to become a £1.3 million a year business.
Now managing director Gill Eastgate is leading an ambitious new push across the rest of the world, with help from the Globalscot network of worldwide business influencers.
NKD Clothing has been fast-tracked by Scottish Enterprise because of its high growth-potential. Gill and her Scottish Enterprise mentor, Christina Noonan, are now contacting Scottish business ambassadors around the world.
Fast growing tourist spots
Gill said: “It is a very exciting time and we’ve already had messages back from Globalscot ambassadors in Dubai, Australia and the Cayman Islands who are keen to help us promote our services.
“We are particularly strong in the hotel, leisure and tourism sector and we’d like to make the most of our successes to date.
“We believe our expertise in hospitality would be particularly welcome in fast-growing tourist spots like Dubai and the Cayman Islands.”
Gill also paid tribute to her mentor Christina, for helping her grow her business and giving her the confidence to pursue global growth.
Already Scottish Enterprise has supported NKD Clothing revamp its website, and as Gill takes a business development role travelling across the UK, Scottish Enterprise has helped to identify the training needed to help other staff take on more senior roles.
Management buyout
Gill, who led a management buyout of the company in 2005, said: “I can’t say a big enough thank you to Christina and the Scottish Enterprise team.
“Their support and expertise has been one of the most important factors in our recent growth. They’ve not only helped us to see what is possible and to plan how to get there, but also given us the confidence and ambition to actually see it through.
“This work with the Globalscot Network is just the latest stage in a process which has helped us grow and develop in so many ways in the past year.”
Christina, an account manager with Scottish Enterprise, joined the organisation 13 years ago after various development, training and troubleshooting roles with companies including John Lewis and contract caterers, Gardner Merchant.
Mentor’s delight at Globalscot response
She now advises a cluster of growing businesses operating in the areas of tourism, textiles, food and beverage and business services. The emphasis is on providing support, suggestions and information which enable business owners to make their own decisions on how they want to develop.
She added: “NKD Clothing has enjoyed real success in the hotel sector here in the UK and I have no doubt those are skills which are transferable across the world.
“The fact that three Globalscots have responded so quickly to Gill suggests they share our belief that NKD Clothing could make an impression on the global stage.”
Christina has been mentoring Gill for just over a year and says Scottish Enterprise will continue to provide support for as long as Gill wants it – or until Scotland’s enterprise, innovation and investment agency cannot help NKD Clothing grow any further.
She added: “I’ve had the privilege of dealing with many successful and interesting businesses over the years and NKD Clothing is one I have really enjoyed working with. It’s incredibly rewarding to see Gill and her team getting so much out of this”
The Globalscot Network is a group of around 850 influential Scots abroad who want to do everything they can to help those Scottish companies keen to expand abroad. The network operates as partnership involving the Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise.
