Le Col

Le Col is a premium cycling apparel business, Founded by the former Team GB pro cyclist Yanto Barker. Made in Italy, their focus is on technically designed performance cycling wear.

Since Founding the business in 2011, Yanto and his team have been developing and growing the business on an international scale, with a focus on the UK market. Their growth was aided by investment from Puma Private Equity in 2018 with sales doubling in their initial investment period. Since their original investment, Puma have gone on to invest further into the business to accelerate and support the next phase of their growth journey.

We were introduced to Yanto and his team as they explored the idea of adding a Chairman to the business to help with their professionalisation journey and international expansion. We were focused on supporting the management team through what would be their first senior hire to the business and the impact this could have for them.

Yanto Barker, Managing Director and Founder commented "We engaged with Drax to search and find a chairman for the business. We spoke to a number of search agents as part of the process and decided on Drax largely thanks to the energy and commitment they brought to their pitch. It was clear that Drax, Kate and Harriet knew their market and presented well on the strategy they would adopt to find our candidate"

"In the end we have selected a chairman from the process and have been working with him for a short time, but already I can see and feel the benefit of his experience, fresh perspective and drive to make a positive contribution. I would recommend Drax and I would use them again."

"Thanks very much to Kate and Harriet and all at Drax who assisted us in our search."