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Our mission

We’ve been at the forefront of our industry for quite some time so there isn’t much we don’t know about schoolwear. Our mission is to revolutionise the market by continually setting new standards for sustainability, service and support to improve the way we operate and deliver for all our customers.

Our
history

  • Our heritage: from 1851 to today

    Banner’s story began in 1851 with John Barrans, a pioneering clothing manufacturer. Barrans' company quickly rose to prominence as Europe’s largest manufacturer, operating 14 factories and 40 retail outlets. Renowned for its innovation, Barrans introduced groundbreaking techniques such as bulk cutting with bandknives and was an early adopter of Singer sewing machines.


    In the early 20th century, the company supplied garments to esteemed retailers like Harrods and John Lewis, while also supporting the war effort by producing military uniforms. This legacy of quality and expert craftsmanship laid the groundwork for what would later become Banner Schoolwear.

    Our heritage:
    From 1851 to today

    Founded in 1851 by John Barrans, the company became Europe’s largest clothing manufacturer, pioneering innovations like bandknife cutting and early Singer sewing machines. By the 20th century, it supplied top retailers like Harrods and made military uniforms, establishing a legacy of quality that led to Banner Schoolwear.

  • The transition to schoolwear

    In the 1970s, the company embraced a new direction, focusing on schoolwear and rebranding as Beau Brummel. Inspired by the Regency-era style icon, Beau Brummel symbolised quality tailoring and timeless design—principles that mirror the ethos of modern school uniforms. This shift marked a pivotal moment, establishing the company as a leading provider of durable and stylish uniforms to schools across the UK.

    The transition to schoolwear

    In the 1970s, the company rebranded as Beau Brummel, focusing on school uniforms inspired by timeless tailoring. This shift positioned it as a top provider of durable and stylish uniforms in the UK.

  • The Blue Max Banner era

    Banner’s modern journey began in 2010 with the merger of Blue Max and Beau Brummel to form Blue Max Banner (BMB). A management buyout in 2015 infused the company with fresh leadership and a renewed commitment to innovation and growth.


    In 2016, the acquisition of Sportswear International (SWI) expanded the company’s reach into sportswear, blending high service standards with cutting-edge design and product development. This move further enhanced its offering for schools, parents, and students alike.

    The Blue Max Banner era

    The 2010 merger of Blue Max and Beau Brummel formed Blue Max Banner (BMB). A 2015 buyout brought renewed growth, and the 2016 acquisition of Sportswear International expanded into sportswear, enhancing its offerings for schools and families.

  • A modern identity and future focus

    In 2016, the company rebranded as Banner, unveiling a contemporary design that reflects its forward-thinking approach. Today, Banner leads the way in schoolwear and sportswear, emphasising sustainability, innovative product design, and exceptional service. With a legacy spanning 165 years of expertise, Banner remains dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of schools and families while driving the industry forward.

    A modern identity and future focus

    Rebranding as Banner in 2016 marked a fresh, forward-thinking approach. With a focus on sustainability, innovation, and service, Banner leads the schoolwear and sportswear industry while building on its 165-year legacy.

  • Continuing the Banner legacy

    Over the years that followed, we continued to evolve, building on our heritage while staying ahead of industry trends. A key milestone came with a second management buyout when we joined forces with CBPE, marking a new era of growth and ambition. With their backing, we’ve expanded our capabilities, strengthened our commitment to sustainability, and further enhanced our offering for schools, parents, and students. Today, Banner stands as a leader in schoolwear and sportswear, driven by a passion for excellence and a bold vision for the future.

    Continuing the Banner legacy

    A second buyout with CBPE fueled further growth, sustainability efforts, and expanded offerings. Today, Banner remains a leader in schoolwear and sportswear, driven by excellence and a vision for the future.

Our values

We live by five values, SMILE for short, that support our ambition and guide us on our journey. Together, they help to make Banner the best company to work for in the industry. Service is everything, Make the right calls, In it together, No Limits, Positive Energy.

How we’re organised

We have customer-facing specialist teams, a dedicated support network, and group functions helping us efficiently deliver the best service to our customers.

  • In-house
    marketing team

    Our in-house marketing team are dedicated to enhancing customer ethos and communication. We empower customers with tools to shine, from bespoke product presentations to digital assets.

  • Distributions centres
    & operations

    We have the biggest distribution network in the industry helping us service our network of customers. We have over 100 staff during our busy season working in over 120,000 sq. ft. The biggest in schoolwear.

  • E-commerce
    & IT

    We have specialist IT, web designers and photographers, supported by our digital analyst team. We are currently in the process of step-changing our digital and E-commerce capabilities to enable us to offer the best-in-class digital experience in schoolwear.

  • Sales
    team

    Our experienced national sales team provide advice and support to new and existing customers. We work with customers to win and retain school contracts.

  • Sales support
    team

    We have a dedicated internal team providing support on a day-to-day basis. The team are focused on building and maintaining strong relationships with customers to ensure smooth collaboration and communication.

  • Customer service
    team

    We have a dedicated customer service team focused on customer interactions. We provide phone, and email assistance ensuring customers are satisfied, whilst addressing and resolving any issues promptly and effectively.

  • Buying and supply
    chain specialists

    Our specialist buying and supply chain team work closely with our sales and customer account managers to ensure efficient and effective management of product procurement, production, and inventory management from our suppliers to customers.

  • People and
    culture

    Inclusive schoolwear starts with having an inclusive culture. Our dedicated People and Culture team ensure everyone at Banner is recognised and valued for what they bring to the company. Whatever their role, everyone can make a difference, and everyone has a part to play.

Our executive team

Meet our Executive Team—dedicated leaders driving innovation, collaboration, and excellence across every aspect of Banner.

Our distribution centres

 

At Banner, we take pride in operating the largest distribution network in the schoolwear industry, ensuring exceptional service for our extensive network of customers. Spanning over 120,000 sq. ft., our state-of-the-art facilities are the largest in the sector, enabling us to meet demand efficiently and reliably. During our busiest seasons, over 100 dedicated staff work tirelessly to manage operations and deliver high-quality schoolwear to our retailers nationwide.

 

Our offices

 

We operate from three strategic office locations across the UK, based in Trowbridge, Altrincham, and Seaham. These hubs are the foundation for our operations and are home to teams, including Business Development, Customer Service, IT and E-commerce, Marketing, Buying, and more.
 
Each office plays a vital role in supporting our mission to provide exceptional schoolwear and outstanding service while ensuring seamless collaboration and innovation across all aspects of our business.

 

Our suppliers

 

At Banner, we lead the schoolwear industry in sustainability and ethics, backed by strong independent accreditations. A Sedex member since 2006, we’re committed to improving global supply chain conditions.
 
As the first UK schoolwear supplier to set Sedex 4-Pillar as our minimum audit standard, all our suppliers are independently assessed on factors such as fair pay, labour conditions, health & safety, business ethics, and environmental impact. This independent assessment ensures our supply chain meets the highest ethical and sustainable standards.

Accreditations and memberships

 

We’re proud to hold the following accreditations and memberships, which demonstrate our commitment to becoming an even more environmentally and socially responsible business. They mean a lot to our customers and us.

We have changed our company articles of association to meet the legal requirement to become a B Corp, to recognise that we now operate for the benefit of people, the planet and the community, not just profited and committed to support The Better Business Act campaign.