The group is tipped to produce profits of £4.5m on a turnover of £28m in the year to December 2007. It expects profits to grow to about £9m on turnover of £50m by 2012. In the 2005 financial year the company generated pre-tax profits of £3.7m.

The group makes most of its money from its wholesale business, but it is expanding its own shop network as well. It currently has 11 stores, with ‘another two or three’ to be added by the end of this year.

According to a report in The Sunday Times, it’s thought the family has called in Rothschild because they feel ‘the company has reached a crossroads’ and the family wants advice on the next stage of development.

‘We have a strong brand with the potential do a huge amount,’ said chief executive Nigel Musto.

One of the options under consideration is to bring in outside shareholders to help deliver the next phase of growth.

Musto is now, says the ST, the leading provider of sailing clothing in Britain, with an estimated 55% share of the market.