Revenue: US$3.13 billion

Country of Origin: UK

Founded: 1856

Employees: 10,000

The international manufacturing conglomerate Burberry traces its roots back to 1856 when Thomas Burberry, a 21-year-old draper’s apprentice, decided to branch out on his own and open a store in Basingstoke, England. Now, Burberry has a presence in clothing, shoes manufacturer, accessories, perfumes and cosmetics. The company remained an independently owned family business until 1955 when Great Universal Stores bought a controlling stake.

Burberry, which has its headquarters in London, operates 442 distribution centres around the world. The company manufactures and sells shoes under its own brand name, offering several styles of sneakers, boots, loafers, dress shoes and sandals.

Stars of the modern world began wearing the Burberrys brand. During the 1970s and 1980s, Burberry signed agreements with worldwide manufacturers to produce complementary products to the existing British collection such as suits, trousers, shirts, sportswear, accessories, for men, ladies, and children. These products, designed under the strict control of headquarters in London, were produced and distributed through independent retail stores worldwide as well as the Burberry stores, and contributed to the growth of the brand in sales and profits through to the late 90s, although the full extent of sales was not apparent in the parent company accounts since much was done through licensed agreements. The company had signed Lord Litchfield as photographer, Lord (Leonard) Wolfson was Chairman and Stanley Peacock OBE Managing Director. In 1997, GUS director Victor Barnett became chairman of Burberry, hiring Rose Marie Bravo to execute a corporate reorganization and restoration of the brand as a luxury fashion house. Barnett led the company up to its successful IPO in 2001.