Barbour’s international success creates opportunities to give back through The Barbour Foundation and new education partnership with The British Fashion Council

Premium lifestyle brand Barbour has reported a strong financial year (24-25) marked by significant sales growth especially across its international markets.  This success has enabled the 5th generation family-owned business – founded over 130 years ago -to continue investing in the North East of England, home to the brand since 1894, while expanding its charitable donations through The Barbour Foundation and launching a new education initiative in partnership with The British Fashion Council, (BFC).

During the 2024-25 financial year, The Barbour Foundation received a generous donation from the shareholders.  Established by Dame Margaret Barbour in 1988, the Foundation supports charitable causes, health and scientific research programmes and women’s groups primarily in the North East of England. To date, The Foundation has donated over £32m to charitable causes including recent donations to The Glasshouse in Gateshead, Age UK, Newcastle, The King’s Trust and a donation of £1 million to Newcastle University to support PhD students in their medical science research.

As part of its ongoing patronage Barbour will commit financial support and mentorship to students through the BFC Foundation with a larger initiative to be announced later this year. In addition, Barbour will launch a student design competition through the BFC Colleges Council to reimagine Barbour’s original and authentic tartans with three winners being chosen in April 2026. As well as a cash prize, the winners will have the opportunity to participate in a Barbour activation during London Fashion Week in September 2026.

Strong growth in clothing and accessories (which now accounts for almost 50% of Barbour’s sales) and unprecedented growth in womenswear drove revenues. Operating profit increased, driven by sales and margin performance and a disciplined management of operational overheads.

Steve Buck, group managing director, Barbour, said: “Against a complex global backdrop, this year’s financial performance demonstrates the continued strength and resilience of our brands and is a testament to all of our hard working and dedicated employees. It is important however that we maintain a focus on overhead cost control while continuing to deliver excellent quality and improved customer service for all of our consumers across the globe.

The strong results we have posted have enabled us in partnership with the BFC to provide support for the next generation of fashion designers.  The generosity and support of our shareholders has also allowed a significant contribution of their dividend to go to The Barbour Foundation, helping to make a real difference to so many charities and good causes.”

Barbour continues to champion investment in the North East of England. The recent opening of the brand’s world class showrooms in Paulsway, Simonside, South Shields has welcomed retailers and wholesale partners from across the world to come to the North East and represents a key milestone in the brand’s long-term strategy.

Paul Wilkinson, Group Deputy Managing Director commented: “A key element of our strategic vision is to develop as a lifestyle brand building for the future to support sustainable long-term growth. By continuing to focus on our heritage, authenticity and brand storytelling – most recently brought to life through our global original and authentic tartan campaign – we continue to create a distinctive point of differentiation.

This long-term approach continues to resonate with womenswear, clothing and accessories growing strongly alongside our established menswear categories.  While the UK & Ireland remains robust, we are also driving further success and brand development across our international markets; by working closely with our valued customers, we have achieved steady and consistent global growth. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our employees. It is particularly rewarding that our continued financial success has resulted in us being able to invest in the future of the business and give back even more to our local communities and provide support to young fashion designers of the future.”

There are also plans to invest in the South Shields factory to support the increased demand for classic wax jackets while further developing Barbour’s Wax for Life and Quilt for Life services which enable consumers to extend the lives of their jackets in response to an increasing consumer focus on sustainability.

During the financial year, there has been a significant upgrade and modernisation programme taking place in the company HQ in South Shields. This further demonstrates the company’s commitment to its employees, the region through local job creation, skills development and long-term economic contribution.