Dr Martens profits take big stride forward September 14, 2014 BRITISH footwear brand Dr Martens has posted a leap in sales and profits in its first year since being bought out by private equity firm Permira. Revenues rose by 30 per cent to £209m in the year to March, as the retailer increased the number of shops from 13 to 41 across the US, Europe [...]
Oxford Street property deals set to reach £1bn by end of this year June 17, 2015 The revamp of the eastern end of Oxford Street and the imminent arrival of Crossrail has sparked a flurry of property deals this year, with investors flocking to get a slice of London’s busiest shopping street. According to CBRE, seven record-breaking transactions totalling £645m have taken place since January, of which five were undertaken off-market. [...]
Dr Martens boots its chief up to chairman August 18, 2014 BRITISH footwear brand Dr Martens has poached the European boss of rival shoe company Deckers Outdoor to become its new chief executive. Steve Murray will take over as chief executive of the punk boot brand in October when its current boss David Suddens will step up to become non-executive chairman. The group, bought out by [...]
It’s Dr Martens for Whistles CEO March 10, 2014 SMARTLY sartorial Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson is in the news; she’s been shortlisted for the Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Award and banging the drum for women on boards. But her dress sense hasn’t always been so slick. The CEO admits her outfit of choice when she started out was a “pair of DMs, black tights [...]
Private equity leaders feast on IPOs and deals September 23, 2014 PRIVATE EQUITY MANAGER of the year Private equity groups have feasted on fresh opportunities thrown up by ongoing financial trends this year, from the rise of China’s market economy to the dissipation of traditional bank lending. This year’s nominations include some of London’s most senior dealmakers and executives and reflect the capital’s pivotal importance at [...]
Permira vows to protect heritage in £300m Dr Martens brand deal October 24, 2013 PRIVATE equity firm Permira yesterday pledged to “respect the heritage” of iconic British footwear brand Dr Martens after it paid £300m to snap up the family-run firm which makes the boots. The deal will see Northampton-based R Griggs Group join Permira’s other fashion brands, which include Hugo Boss and New Look. David Suddens, chief executive [...]
Dr Martens in £300m sale talks with private equity firm Permira October 17, 2013 BRITISH fashion brand Dr Martens is in talks to sell itself to private equity firm Permira, according to sources reported by Sky News. Dr Martens is currently owned by the R Griggs Group, who are believed to be in talks to sell the company to Permira as soon as next month for almost £300m. It [...]
London style: Iconic British looks from the brands behind London Collections June 26, 2014 Our exclusive City A.M. Bespoke photoshoot celebrates some of the most iconic looks by the brands who exhibited their wares at the menswear showcase, from 1960s mod-inspired styles to the grimy punk borrowed from the late 1970s. Brilliant fashion minds such as Lou Dalton take these genre classics and reimagine them for a new generation; [...]
UK shoemaker pumped up by sole investor January 20, 2014 HOTTER Shoes, the UK’s biggest shoe manufacturer, has been sold to Electra Private Equity in a £200m deal giving buyout house control of the company. The 55-year-old business, captained by founder Stewart Houlgrave, has been owned by rival private equity firm Gresham since 2007, expanding from five to 56 stores during that time. Listed fund [...]
Moshi Monsters proves popularity with adults September 6, 2012 IT seems it is not just kids who look on in wonder when they see a Moshi Monster or a JCB digger – judges of this year’s Private Business Awards are clearly pretty impressed too. The awards, which celebrate UK’s private businesses, last night named construction and agricultural equipment maker JCB as the country’s top [...]