Gordon Brothers eyes UK and US brands to transform into asset-light companies

Gordon Brothers is eyeing three fashion brands in the UK and US, after transforming Laura Ashley from administration to an asset-light, e-commerce company, Tobias Nanda , head of brands, told PE Hub .

In January, Gordon Brothers, a Boston, Massachusetts-based advisory and investment firm, sold Laura Ashley to Marquee Brands. Marquee Brands, which is sponsored by?Neuberger Berman, is a brand accelerator headquartered in New York City.

Gordon Brothers spent the past five years revitalizing the iconic brand Laura Ashley, having bought the company out of administration back in 2020. London-based Laura Ashley was once a high street company, selling home furnishings and fashion products in a quintessentially English style, typically in a country floral pattern. Its product line is still similar, but it operates as an asset-light company either through partnerships, franchisees or online.

Nanda told PE Hub that Gordon Brothers has three more fashion brands in its pipeline that he thinks are ripe for this type of treatment. Two are based in the US, while one is UK based. He hopes for the deals to be announced in 2025.

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