unw Fashion capital for clothing specialists

unw Fashion capital for clothing specialists

A team of outdoor clothing and retail specialists have joined forces to acquire the renowned country inspired fashion brand, John Partridge.

Retail entrepreneur Nick Oliver, ex-Barbour director of manufacturing and sourcing David Reay and ex-Barbour head of design Gary Newbold, brought in expert dealmakers unw to assist in raising the acquisition finance and development capital needed to reinvigorate the original product range.

The investment is part-financed from the Growth Plus Fund, managed by FW Capital, alongside an undisclosed personal investment from business angel Anne Holliday.

Commenting on the investment, Nick Oliver said: “unw provided invaluable advice throughout the deal and were incredible in sourcing reputable investors who really believe in the business and the brand.”

“They provided us with financial help and advice to build on the plans that we had to bring Partridge back as a leading country inspired luxury fashion brand.”

The John Partridge brand was acquired in time for the launch of a new autumn line in 2011.

Corporate finance partner Neville Bearpark and manager Mark Simpson worked closely with a team from Muckle LLP to secure the financial package and complete the deal. 

Neville Bearpark said: “This deal was an exciting development opportunity for the team to reinvent and re-launch a recognised brand.  It is one of a growing number of successful bids we have made for Finance for Business North East funding.


“Working with the client, we reacted quickly to an evolving deal to ensure that they met the time line for sourcing the product for the next season’s launch.  

“We ensured that we found the right equity partners in FW Capital and Anne Holliday who provided the funds and we negotiated the deal terms to the satisfaction of all parties.”

Mark Simpson further commented: “Nick, David and Gary have a combined strong reputation within the clothing retail industry in the North East and we are delighted to have been able to assist in their plans. The team have a clear vision of how they see the future of the business and this, along with their retail expertise, is what the investors bought into.”

FW Capital fund manager, Andrew Coles added: “Partridge’s new owners are a strong management team with an impressive reputation in the sector. They’re well placed to make the most of this very exciting opportunity. Combining their expertise with this substantial equity investment, I’m confident they’ll reinvigorate this highly regarded brand.”

Picture caption (L-R):  Craig Swinhoe, David Reay, Mark Simpson (unw), Nick Oliver, Gary Newburn, Andrew Coles

Other 2011 news

  1. 2012
  2. 2011
  1. A modelling career at UNW

    Michael Tagg joins UNW team to build financial modelling capability.

    21 Dec 2011

  2. Practices with NHS contracts highly prized in the sales market

    NASDAL goodwill survey for quarter ended 31 October 2011 released

    15 Dec 2011

  3. Is the taxman causing you pain?

    HMRC are currently pursuing a number of investigations where they have information suggesting that UK taxpayers have been less than forthcoming in declaring all of their income and capital gains on their tax returns.

    06 Dec 2011

  4. 2011 Autumn Statement

    The Government spending plans and macroeconomic issues received most publicity following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement on 29 November 2011. However, the associated press releases also included a significant amount of detail on various tax issues

    05 Dec 2011

  5. The FSA’s Retail Distribution Review

    Potential VAT consequences for IFAs?

    30 Nov 2011

  6. Intrastat Declarations – important changes!

    Important changes to Intrastat Declarations expected from 1 April 2012

    17 Nov 2011

  7. HMRC to withdraw 3 Extra Statutory Concessions relating to caravan sites

    On 13 December 2010, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced its intention to withdraw three Extra Statutory Concessions relating to caravan sites

    08 Nov 2011

  8. Filing late gets more expensive

    New penalty rules for Income Tax Self Assessment returns filed late came into force from the beginning of November.

    07 Nov 2011

  9. Everyone needs a Loveday

    UNW announce the appointment of Phil Loveday as Forensic Manager

    03 Nov 2011

  10. HMRC advice on use of labour providers

    HMRC advise on the risk of tax fraud when using hired labour.

    02 Nov 2011

  11. HMRC’s Corporation Tax Online now updated to accept iXBRL returns

    Corporation Tax Online now able to accept iXBRL returns for accounting periods ending after 31.3.2011

    21 Oct 2011

  12. Everyone's a winner with pension salary exchange schemes

    New Government-approved pension salary exchange schemes can prove to be more profitable for businesses and for staff ahead of the auto-enrolment legislation to be enacted next October, advises accountancy firm UNW.

    20 Oct 2011

  13. Reminder of NICs Holiday

    Following a low uptake of the scheme, HMRC have issued a reminder of the Regional Employer NICs Holiday.

    13 Oct 2011

  14. Update in relation to self employed dentists NHS pension scheme arrangements

    Revised Guidance Notes have been issued, and a Statutory Instrument is to be put before Parliament on 7th November 2011.

    06 Oct 2011

  15. NECC recently judged UNW to be Employer of the Year

    Having previously only used graduate training schemes, UNW LLP last year turned to apprenticeships to develop its future workforce and today is successfully employing and developing four young apprentices.

    04 Oct 2011

  16. The latest UNW Dental Business Unit Bulletin is available to download.

    The Bulletin features the latest goodwill survey with some advice on improving practice goodwill, plus an update on Alan Suggett’s campaign on the NHS associate pension problem.

    21 Sep 2011

  17. Softening in goodwill values

    The sale value of the average dental practice has fallen in the NASDAL goodwill survey for the quarter ending July 31st 2011.

    19 Sep 2011

  18. The NHS associate pension problem: JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

    Imagine if you were told that an elderly person left a parcel containing several thousand pounds on the bus when he or she got off . . . .

    08 Sep 2011

  19. UNW Partner’s expertise acknowledged by The Guardian

    New UNW partner, Julie Gilhespie, has been invited to be one of the expert panellists to answer questions from the public during a regular live discussion hosted by The Guardian newspaper.

    25 Aug 2011

  20. Accountants calculate double money for charities

    Charitable accountants at unw are in training to embark on their most ambitious mission yet, to raise over £10,000 for North East children.

    17 Aug 2011

  21. Headhunted to become partner at unw

    A top advisor involved in some of the UK’s most ambitious public sector transactions has been headhunted by unw.

    11 Aug 2011

  22. Dental practice goodwill on the up in last quarter

    The average goodwill value of a dental practice has increased by roughly 10 per cent in the first few months of 2011 according to the recent NASDA goodwill survey for the quarter ending April 30th.

    28 Jun 2011

  23. Tharsus invests over £1m in re-engineering its future

    THARSUS engineering and manufacturing has invested over £1m into a new 31,000 sq. ft. site in order to continue its rapid expansion plans.

    28 Apr 2011

  24. unw puts international rally expert on the right track

    Double British Rally Champion driver Guy Wilks is getting into the driving seat of the North East’s largest outdoor karting circuit, Karting North East, after acquiring the business which runs it, Manor House Leisure Limited, for an undisclosed sum.

    18 Apr 2011

  25. Possible challenge to VAT treatment of agency workers

    A recent VAT Tribunal decision has just been delivered which could have an impact on the change in VAT treatment applied by HMRC

    13 Apr 2011

  26. Budget Summary 2011

    A summary of the key points from Chancellor George Osborne's Budget of 23 March 2011 is available for you to download here. (407Kb PDF)

    24 Mar 2011

  27. unw Provides expert advice for international acquisition

    A specialist Newcastle engineering business has been bought by a large US manufacturing company looking to break into new markets thanks to expert advice from unw.

    22 Mar 2011

  28. Dental profits reduced or static in 09/10

    The net profits of dentists in the financial year 09/10 were either reduced or static compared to the previous year according to the annual statistics released by the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants (NASDA).

    17 Mar 2011

  29. unw Fashion capital for clothing specialists

    A team of outdoor clothing and retail specialists have joined forces to acquire the renowned country inspired fashion brand, John Partridge.

    15 Feb 2011

  30. Tax should be made simpler

    In an interview with Insider North East Business, Simon Richards, tax partner, says the government needs to consult better with local business leaders and simplify procedures

    27 Jan 2011

  31. Company car schemes

    Beware - potential 61% NIC increases from April 2012

    17 Jan 2011

  32. unw moulds right advice for Omega Plastics

    A plastics firm - which has quadrupled staff numbers since being rescued from administration four years ago - is poised to create more jobs as part of a £300,000 investment.

    12 Jan 2011

  33. Construction Industry Scheme

    Following a number of high profile tax cases relating to excessive penalties charged on Contractors for the late filing of monthly returns, HMRC has now issued proposed changes to the Construction Industry Scheme penalty regime

    04 Jan 2011

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