In 1977, Nick Brown lived in London and had just finished university. He was unemployed and in love with the outdoors — specifically long-distance walking and backpacking. He also had a passion for chemistry, and he used this talent to create his first product: Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather.
Brown supplied the product to the 1980 Royal Geographical Society Karakoram Expedition, and it gained in popularity locally and abroad.
This success motivated Brown to develop a range of cleaning and waterproofing products for outdoor clothing, footwear and gear that are free of solvents and persistent chemicals of concern, and to create Nikwax, which is a waterproofing aftercare brand that does not use PFCs.
PFCs are associated with cancer and endocrine disruption and are known as the “forever chemicals” because they bio-accumulate.
Nikwax grew into an international company with branches in Europe, North America and South America.
Brown, 67, is ready to slow down. For most of the past decade, has been preoccupied with how to achieve a smooth succession.
Special arrangements for Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) were introduced by the British coalition government in 2014, to protect and encourage employment. The concept of an EOT is for the benefit of the employees while employed. Since their introduction, EOTs have become a popular route for owner/founders to achieve succession while protecting the community of employees they have created. As of February 1, Nikwax became an EOT.
Part of the transition is a watertight undertaking that one percent of revenue will be dedicated to environmental and social projects.
Nikwax Director of Sustainability Maïté Angleys said, “1 percent for people and planet is about giving back. Nikwax has been here for 45 years and aims to be here in another 45 years’ time, which is why we want to do our best to protect the great outdoors for generations to come. To ensure continuity, Nick and his family will be involved in choosing the projects and organizations we support, giving us the chance to preserve our founding values into the future.”
