Trading as BLK United Kingdom, chief executive Ben Houchen and chief operating officer Mark Holt, together with Claire Fiddler, head of purchasing, and Ben Azadi, head of marketing, have invested £450,000 to acquire the UK licence for the Australia-based apparel brand and taken delivery of their first £1 million worth of stock.
Headquartered at the Durham Tees Valley Business Centre, the business has already created eight jobs for local people, with more expected.
BLK is working in partnership with the RFL to provide the England Rugby League team, the RFL and match officials with kit for the next four years.
BLK United Kingdom says it has ambitious plans to work with high profile teams across a range of sports and is planning to launch a bespoke range of non-licenced sports fashionwear.
Houchen says: “Acquiring the BLK licence for the UK represents a significant investment, but we have a wealth of experience in the team and a myriad of exciting and innovative ideas to make the business a major success story.”
