Gymshark profits fall as tariffs threaten to squeeze US business
Pre-tax profits fell from £13.1 million to £11.9 million in the year to the end of July as the British athleisure brand invested in new stores in London, New York, Dubai, Amsterdam and Manchester.
Ben Francis, the Solihull-based company's 32-year-old co-founder and chief executive, owns more than 70 per cent of the business, with US private equity firm General Atlantic and management the rest. No dividend was paid, but the pay of the company's highest-earning director rose to £1.15 million from £968,000 last year and almost twice the level paid in 2022.
The decline in pre-tax profits
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Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
What you need to know about the world's first 3D-printed train station in Japan
Japan unveils the first-ever 3D-printed train station, offering a glimpse into the future of rural infrastructure Japan has launched the world's first 3D-printed train station building at Hatsushima Station in Arida City, Wakayama Prefecture. Constructed by JR West and printed by Osaka-based firm Serendix, the compact facility is a prototype for sustainable infrastructure. It's not a flashy tourist stop, but it is a functional test case that could reshape how rural Japan builds and maintains transport networks. Read more: 9 progressive young Japanese designers you need to know from Designart Tokyo Measuring just 10 square metres, the reinforced concrete building was printed off-site using Serendix's automated technology and assembled on location in approximately six hours. The entire installation took place during a scheduled pause in the train timetable, meaning there was no disruption to service. According to JR West, the station offers earthquake resistance comparable to that of standard reinforced-concrete houses, while also withstanding weather-related wear and tear. Although thoroughly modern in method, the station's design acknowledges local identity. Its rounded, dome-like shape subtly reflects traditional architecture, while the exterior is decorated with reliefs of mandarin oranges and beltfish—two regional specialities of Arida. This deliberate integration of technology and cultural nuance reflects JR West's goal: to modernise without erasing. The project addresses a pressing issue in Japan's railway ecosystem. Rural stations are increasingly difficult to maintain due to shrinking populations and limited budgets. By embracing 3D-printed design processes, JR West aims to reduce costs and labour while delivering durable structures that can be quickly deployed. If Hatsushima proves viable, similar buildings may appear at other small or mid-sized stations across Japan. For travellers, the significance of the 3D-printed train station is subtle but meaningful. While most passengers are unlikely to visit Hatsushima Station specifically, its construction marks a quiet shift toward more agile, sustainable infrastructure. Those using regional passes, such as the Kansai Wide Area Pass, may soon see more such innovations in rural areas.
Tatler Asia
18-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
How to embrace AI without losing ourselves
Above Dorothy Yiu is the co-founder and CEO of EngageRocket, an award-winning Singapore-based employee engagement platform (Photo: EngageRocket) AI is here to stay; you either adapt or die. That's the reality of things - Dorothy Yiu - Being more human Both Yiu and Tang highlight the importance of coaching. Performance might be better measured through systems that can track indicators and generate progress reports. But the human aspect of spending time with someone and seeing them, as we do when we coach, could lead to even more meaningful insights. As Yiu says, it involves conversations like, 'Hey, what's your ambition? Where do you see yourself in the next year or two years? How can we set you up for success in this organisation?' She adds that it's also human relationships that drive retention and turnover. 'People don't leave bad companies; they leave bad bosses.' This isn't likely to change just because AI systems and agents become part of work. 'You use data to help inform, right? How can we tailor our humanness and build connection? That's where data is helpful,' says Yiu. In other words, we can use data to better understand our teams and flag challenges, and we can use AI to become better managers and leaders. 'See it as a way to improve yourself,' says Cheng. 'I'm a big fan of using AI for knowledge and education. How can it help us improve on areas where we may be weak? Of course, we need to be careful when working with generative AI due to hallucinations, where it may cite untrue information, but as the models get better and offer deep research capabilities and other features, it means that we have access to an almost limitless amount of knowledge.' Read more: AI at work: what are Singapore CEOs prioritising and finding a challenge? Above Arvin Tang is the founder and CEO of Akin by Techlyon, a digital agency that designs impact-driven marketing campaigns backed by human behaviour data (Photo: Darren Gabriel Leow) Tang adds, 'What does it mean for you to be human? It means the critical thinking that happens 99 per cent of the time in your brain. You might not be able to explain it but the conscious and the unconscious [are involved in] your thinking process.' This can lead to new ideas and other positive outcomes, he says, when coupled with an AI with a different thinking model. The quality of ideas and the speed of work can increase as we combine human insights and intuitions with such powerful tools. This means we can do better and get more done much faster. The question then becomes: what do we do with our time? Tang says that leaders will have to 'embrace and accept that it is true that they, both leaders and their teams, will do less work but not necessarily less thinking'. In his case, he sees the newly available time as an opportunity to focus on well-being and space to find innovative ideas and solutions. He tells his team: 'Make sure that you are considering new skills, new things to think about. Use your AI to learn about how this connects to performance.' Read more: AI decoded: a guide to digital twins, synthetic media and other buzzwords We humans still need to be the ones to plan the next step, navigate it and then use the AI as a very good compass to get there - Arvin Tang - Leading with purpose It's key to lead with mission, purpose and meaning— essentially, a 'why'. Tang says that a key activity for him has been to realign his company's vision to its purpose. 'This purpose-led vision allows me to align it with my and my team's personal interests as well.' He says that being purpose-driven allows them to stay fresh and excited about their work, which in turn minimises, if not prevents, burnout. Yiu concurs, saying: 'In a world like this that's so uncertain and chaotic, more engaged employees are more resilient to change. They're willing to tough it out with you. They're willing to be more creative. They're willing to go the extra mile for the organisation when times are tough. 'We are living in an era where there are five generations in the workforce. How can I tailor my approaches to the diversity that we're seeing?' Add to that the coming introduction of non-humans into the mix, and this diversity will bring both challenges and opportunities. If we can understand the technology, be more human in our interactions and lead with purpose, then we might be on the right track to take advantage of those opportunities.
Tatler Asia
04-07-2025
- Tatler Asia
Behind the Gen.T list: meet the industry veterans selecting Asia's Leaders of Tomorrow
Entertainment Homme TsaiChairman, Taiwan Creative Content Agency Taiwan Fashion & Beauty Rajo LaurelFashion designer, Rajo Laurel Philippines Finance & Venture Capital Vishal Harnal Global managing partner, 500 Global Singapore Antonny Liem Founding partner, GDP Venture Indonesia Prantik Mazumdar President, TiE Singapore Singapore Krating Poonpol Group chairman, Kasikorn Business-Technology Group Thailand Chibo Tang Managing partner, Gobi Partners Hong Kong Franco Varona Co-founder and managing partner, Foxmont Capital Partners Philippines Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift CEO, Bursa Malaysia Malaysia Read more: Meet 6 of Asia's most influential wealth builders who are shaping the future of finance Photo 1 of 3 Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift has been the CEO of Malaysia's stock exchange since 2019, playing a catalytic role in the economy's transition to green Photo 2 of 3 Naina Subberwal Batra is the CEO of AVPN, a social investor network that aims to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human and intellectual capital from around the world into the social sector in Asia (Photo: AVPN) Photo 3 of 3 Aukrit Unahalekhaka co-founded Ricult, a Thailand-based startup that uses machine learning and satellite imagery to help lift farmers out of poverty (Photo: Ricult) Healthcare & Sciences Dean HoDirector, The Institute for Digital Medicine, National University of Singapore Singapore Dato' Dr Adeeba Kamarulzaman CEO, Monash University Malaysia and pro-vice-chancellor and president (Malaysia), Monash University Australia Malaysia Poramaporn Prasarttong-Osoth Authorized director, chairperson of executive committee and president, BDMS Thailand Read more: Longevity for the masses? Meet the founders of the new clinic in Singapore making it their mission Media & Marketing Sunshine Farzhan Founder, Ignite Advisory Hong Kong Elvira Jakub CEO, Dentsu Indonesia Indonesia Ranjana Singh Chairperson, Indonesia and Vietnam, WPP Indonesia Photo 1 of 3 The founder of Echostore and a champion of the global Slow Food Movement, Chit Juan advocates for agriculture biodiversity and self-reliance in food production in the Philippines Photo 2 of 3 Nice Cheng is a partner at AppWorks, where he focuses on investing in growth-stage startups and seasoned founders (Photo: AppWorks) Photo 3 of 3 Fashion designer Rajo Laurel started his own label in 2000 and has won awards for fashion design and entrepreneurship both locally and internationally (Photo: Rajo Laurel) Philanthropy & Charity Renitasari AdrianProgramme director, Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation Indonesia Public Service & Law Nurul Izzah AnwarDeputy president, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia Social Entrepreneurship Natalie Chan Managing director, PIE Strategy Hong Kong Ann Dumaliang Co-founder and managing trustee, Masungi Georeserve Foundation Philippines Read more: Ann and Billie Dumaliang bravely stand for conservation at the Masungi Georeserve Triawan Munaf Former head, Indonesian Creative Economy Agency Indonesia Francis Ngai Founder and CEO, Social Ventures Hong Kong Hong Kong Alfie Othman CEO, Raise Singapore Naina Subberwal Batra CEO, AVPN Singapore Aukrit Unahalekhaka Co-founder, Ricult Thailand DK WuCEO, Taiwan Impact Investment Association Taiwan Photo 1 of 4 Nurul Izzah Anwar is the deputy president of Malaysia's ruling party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, and the daughter of the country's prime minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: Kim Mun/Hopscotch Photography) Photo 2 of 4 Dr Santitarn Sathirathai is an economist, policy maker and author based in Thailand, who is the only Asian who has won the Consensus Economics Outstanding Global Economic Forecast award for three consecutive years Photo 3 of 4 Cherrie Atilano founded Agrea Philippines, where she is working to address food insecurity and promote self-sufficiency through sustainable farming (Photo: Cherrie Atilano) Photo 4 of 4 Tootsy Angara is the cluster head of sales at ABS-CBN, one of the Philippines' top media networks Sustainability Esther AnChief sustainability officer, City Developments Limited Singapore Cherrie AtilanoFounder and CEO, Agrea Philippines Chit JuanFounder, Echostore Philippines Read more: These farmers grow your food, but can't afford to eat—this social enterprise is changing that Dr Santitarn SathirathaiEconomist, policy maker and author Thailand Katy Yung CEO, Sustainable Finance Initiative Hong Kong Technology Amarit Charoenphan Apac partner and vice-president of growth, Southeast Asia president, New Zealand Thai Chamber of Commerce and managing partner, Aim Ventures Thailand Derek ChimHead of Incubation and Acceleration Programmes, Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Nice Cheng Partner, AppWorks Taiwan Erika Fille Legara Managing director and chief AI and data officer, Center for AI Research Philippines Alice So Head of Entrepreneurship, Cyberport Hong Kong Wellness Catherine Feliciano-ChonManaging partner of strategic development, Asia Pacific, Finn Partners Hong Kong The Tatler Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow 2025 will be unveiled on July 4 at 10am GMT+8. While you wait, discover last year's honourees. Credits This article was created with the assistance of AI tools
