£1m bid to stop Brexit
Brexit had happened 20 years ago, Superdry would not be the global success story it is.
“We would have really, really struggled to cope with the individual country negotiations.”
Mr Dunkerton launched his business empire in 1985 with a market stall in Cheltenham.
Cult Clothing grew into a nationwide chain and he went on to launch Superdry in 2003.
Superdry was floated on the Stock Exchange eight years ago and has more than 500 stores and concessions in about 40 countries – including 135 in Britain.
Three years ago, the company was accused of selling products made in India by factory workers paid just 28p an hour.
It was said to import jackets from the Modelama factory in Gurgaon, near New Delhi, where garment checkers earned just £61.82 for a month’s work.
The firm had to investigate claims that workers were forced to work in hot, unpleasant conditions and endured verbal abuse from supervisors.
It is understood the allegations were looked into and discounted.
A company spokeswoman said yesterday that Mr Dunkerton no longer runs the company dayto-day.
Mr Dunkerton describes himself as “an old leftie Guardian reader” and once stood for his local council in Cheltenham. Yet he admits he owns a private jet.
His other businesses have included Soho Coffee, a number of hotels, restaurants and bars and the cider company set up by his parents.
Charity handouts include a £1million donation to Blue Marine Foundation, which seeks to combat over-fishing and the destruction of biodiversity.
Over the past two years, Mr Dunkerton has sold stock worth nearly £70million to fund separation and divorce from his first wife Charlotte with whom he has two daughters.
They lived in a £3.25million, seven-bedroom, Grade II-listed farmhouse in Lower Dowdeswell, a few miles outside Cheltenham.
His wedding last weekend took place at a secret venue. THERESA May will not allow a second referendum said sources as experts spelled out problems with a ‘People’s Vote’.
Campaigners for a vote on the final Brexit deal were boosted yesterday by a £1million donation from millionaire Julian Dunkerton.
But a Downing Street source insisted: “We completely rule out any second referendum.”
The pitfalls were highlighted in a report released today by the Institute for Government.
The think tank published its analysis of ways Brexit negotiations could play out.
The report says it is possible the Government could order another referendum.
Mechanics
But it notes: “The mechanics of a referendum are far from easy. Even more problematic, what would it be about?”
Tory former minister Justine Greening has suggested a three-question referendum with the choice of leaving the EU with no deal, leaving on the PM’s deal or staying in the EU.
But the Institute said this raised timing issues.
The report offers possible scenarios including Theresa May agreeing a deal as early as October and getting it through Parliament ahead of March 29.
The report also notes the UK is only guaranteed staying in on its current terms if it withdraws the Article 50 leaving application before March 29.