Who is Touker Suleyman?
Touker Suleyman (often misspelled as Tuka Solomon) is a British-Turkish Cypriot entrepreneur and fashion mogul who’s built a £200 million empire by rescuing struggling fashion brands and turning them into profitable powerhouses. You’ve probably seen him on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, where he’s been grilling hopeful entrepreneurs since 2015. But there’s much more to this self-made millionaire than his TV persona suggests.
Suleyman commands a retail empire that includes heritage menswear brand Hawes & Curtis, elegant womenswear label Ghost, and the manufacturing operation Low Profile Group. His business philosophy is refreshingly simple: “Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity.” It’s this no-nonsense approach that’s made him one of Britain’s most successful retail turnaround specialists.
Biography
Born Türker Süleyman on August 4, 1953, in Famagusta, Crown Colony of Cyprus, Touker’s early life was far from glamorous. He arrived in England at just five years old in 1958, settling in Bermondsey, South London, with his family. The young immigrant didn’t speak a word of English, yet this barrier didn’t stop him from excelling.
His family lived in modest circumstances above his father’s restaurant in Camberwell. It’s here that young Touker spent every spare moment working, an experience he credits as foundational to his business instincts.
Despite the language barrier, Suleyman thrived at Peckham Manor Secondary School, achieving eight O-levels. However, at age 10, he faced a life-changing challenge when a serious hand infection nearly resulted in the amputation of his left hand. He missed an entire year of schooling but bounced back stronger.
After school, his father pushed him toward accountancy, and Touker took a position as an articled clerk earning just £5.50 weekly. But the fashion industry called to him. His first entrepreneurial venture? Buying clothes for his grandmother to sell.
Career
Suleyman’s career is a masterclass in buying low and building high. His first major venture, Kingsland Models, supplied clothing to major retailers including C&A, Dorothy Perkins, and Topshop. By 23, he already owned factories in Stoke-on-Trent and Liverpool. Not bad for someone who couldn’t speak English just 18 years earlier.
But success wasn’t linear. An investment in Bamber Stores went spectacularly wrong when the company’s books revealed £20-26 million in deficits. Suleyman had to sell his house to repay debts. Instead of breaking him, this disaster taught him invaluable lessons about due diligence that would serve him for decades.
The Hawes & Curtis Turnaround
His most celebrated achievement came in 2001 when he acquired Hawes & Curtis, the historic shirtmaker founded in 1913, for just £1. Yes, one pound. Of course, he also absorbed £500,000 in debt, but that’s where his genius showed. The company’s turnover was a modest £600,000 in 2001. By 2014, it had exploded to £30 million. Fast forward to 2024, and Hawes & Curtis hit £46.7 million in turnover with £3.7 million in pre-tax profit. The brand now operates 29 UK stores and recently partnered with footballer Gary Neville for its 2024 summer collection.
Ghost and Low Profile Group
In 2008, Suleyman rescued Ghost, the elegant womenswear label known for its floaty satin gowns, when Icelandic investment fund KCAJ withdrew following the banking crisis. The acquisition saved 142 jobs. Today, Ghost thrives with a flagship store on London’s King’s Road and an exclusive Marks & Spencer collaboration launched in November 2020.
Low Profile Group, which Suleyman acquired back in 1984, remains his cornerstone manufacturing operation. It supplies major retailers including Marks & Spencer, with factories in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Georgia.
Dragons’ Den Success
Since joining Dragons’ Den in 2015, Suleyman has invested approximately £3 million across numerous startups. He’s made 0.68 offers per episode over 71 episodes, the third-highest rate among Dragons. Notable investments include Liquiproof (£100,000 for 50%), Big Clothing 4 You (£150,000 for 35%), and baby products company Shnuggle.
However, January 2025 brought controversy when he offered Hair Syrup founder £190,000 for 3% equity on condition he receive all his money back within three months while keeping the shares. Fellow Dragons publicly intervened, and facing studio backlash, Suleyman withdrew the offer.
In November 2024, Suleyman received the prestigious Drapers Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing 50 years of contributions to British fashion retail. At 72, he’s still actively pursuing deals, including a September 2025 bid to rescue Claire’s UK accessories retailer from administration.
Personal Life
Suleyman maintains strict privacy about his personal life. He was formerly married to an unnamed Danish woman, and the marriage produced two daughters: Tashia (born approximately August 1998) and Taya (about four years younger). Tashia now works as a fashion stylist whose work has appeared in Vogue, while Taya studied English Literature and History of Art at the University of Edinburgh.
He resides in London with his daughters and maintains an impressive property portfolio, including a £20 million “James Bond-style” mansion in South London that he previously rented to David and Victoria Beckham in 2013. Suleyman identifies as a non-practicing Muslim.
Beyond business, he’s actively involved in charitable work, serving as a mentor for The Prince’s Trust and ambassador for WellChild children’s charity and The Retail Trust. He’s particularly passionate about supporting education, healthcare initiatives, and immigrant entrepreneurship programs.
Net Worth
Touker Suleyman’s net worth is estimated at £200 million, verified through The Sunday Times Rich List 2015, which ranked him 637th among Britain’s wealthiest individuals. This wealth comes from multiple sources: his fashion retail holdings (Hawes & Curtis, Ghost, Finery London), Low Profile Group manufacturing operations, an extensive London property portfolio, and approximately £3 million deployed through Dragons’ Den investments.
Some sources suggest figures ranging from £150 million to £315 million, but the consensus among credible financial publications places his wealth between £150-200 million.
