Swimmer Wilkie is now millionaire

OLYMPIC gold medal winner David Wilkie became a millionaire today after agreeing to sell his healthcare company for more than £7.8 million.

The former swimming star, who grew up in Edinburgh and won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, co-founded Health Perception in 1989.

The company supplies branded vitamins, minerals and health food supplements to major high street names including Boots, Superdrug and Sainsbury’s.

The Berkshire-based firm is being sold to Ransom, one of the UK’s leading natural healthcare companies, which is to pay over 4.3m in cash and 3.5m in shares to Health Perception’s shareholders.

The 50-year-old grew up in Sri Lanka and at the age of 11 moved to Edinburgh, where he trained at Warrender Baths.

He won his first World Championship title in 1973 before going on to take gold in the 200-metre breaststroke at the Montreal Olympics, breaking the world record in the process.

Mr Wilkie, 50, will remain with the business for at least two years following the deal, as will his wife, Helen Isacson, who is the marketing director.

"Joining Ransom allows us to take the business to the next stage with access to wider distribution as well as Ransom’s proven expertise in branded consumer healthcare products," Mr Wilkie said.