
Britain's Smythson sold to Oakley Capital's Iconic BrandCo
Italian leather group Tivoli, which bought Smythson in 2009, said in a separate note that it would continue to produce leather goods for the brand.
Financial details were not disclosed by either side.
Founded in London in 1887, Smythson sells products such as diaries for 195 pounds ($270) and leather passport covers starting at 170 pounds. It holds two warrants as a supplier to the British royal family.
Oakley Capital's Iconic BrandCo said it has also bought Milan-based home decor firm Fornasetti and Italian luggage maker Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano.
"The latest acquisitions mark an important step in Oakley's strategy of building a diversified group of luxury, heritage brands," Oakley Capital said in a statement.
Iconic BrandCo also controls brands such as Alessi, Globe-Trotter and Connolly.
($1 = 0.7256 pounds)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Wales Online
30 minutes ago
- Wales Online
4-day working week brought in at Welsh company employing hundreds of staff
4-day working week brought in at Welsh company employing hundreds of staff It's one of 17 companies which took part in a national trial to test a four-day working week with no increase in hours or reduction in pay Bron Afon in Cwmbran has successfully completed a four-day working week trial (Image: Google Maps ) A Welsh company has confirmed its plans to continue with a four-day working week, following the success of a national trial. Housing association, Bron Afon, was one of 17 companies to take part in a six-month pilot, which concluded with all participants opting to extend the shorter working week. The trial, which began in November, 2024, was organised by the 4 Day Week Foundation and involved nearly 1,000 workers across a range of industries. The aim was to test whether reducing the traditional working week from five days to four would impact productivity and employee wellbeing. Bron Afon, which boasts a workforce of around 400, claimed the results had been overwhelmingly positive. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The Cwmbran-based organisation shared that it had been able to maintain its performance and customer satisfaction, while also seeing significant benefits for its employees. Alan Brunt, chief executive of Bron Afon Community Housing, said: "Almost as soon as we started talking about it, our teams got together to set about making it work which was brilliant. Article continues below "We've closely monitored our performance and customer satisfaction. We're happy with the results so far and will continue to make sure we're delivering for our customers." Nearly two-thirds of workers across all companies involved in the trial reported a reduction in burnout, with 40% saying they had seen improvements in their mental health, while almost half said they felt more satisfied with life overall. Following the 100% success rate, director of 4 Day Week Foundation, Joe Ryle, commented: "With greater knowledge, expertise and experience of what it takes to successfully implement a four-day week, we're really pleased to see such a high success rate. "People are happier, businesses are thriving, and there's no turning back. "We've proved it again and again: a four-day week works and should now be implemented more widely across the economy." Having seen the benefits first hand, Bron Afon is now committed to continuing with the four-day week, with Mr Brunt adding: "I expect that most organisations will be doing this in the next 10 years or so." The campaign's success closely aligns with the results found by a group appointed by the Welsh Government last year. The group, established under the Workforce Partnership Council (WPC), spent a year studying the pros and cons of a four-day working week. The project revealed five major benefits, including: Improved work-life balance: Shorter work hours with no pay-cut help workers better balance work and personal life. Better health: Reduced hours help prevent burnout, lower stress and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Attraction and retention: Boosts recruitment and retention by offering distinctive benefit and effective pay increase (for fewer hours worked). Greater inclusivity: Supports workers with caring responsibilities, fostering a more inclusive workspace. Increased productivity and organisational performance: Due to increased feelings of wellbeing, those who are feeling well rested and happier tend to produce work more efficiently and of higher quality. Article continues below


The Courier
32 minutes ago
- The Courier
New Broughty Ferry showroom has £3,000 toilet and £7,500 bath
A new Broughty Ferry bathroom and kitchen showroom is selling a £3,000 toilet and £7,500 bath. Despite the eye-watering price points of some items, Home Improvement Centre owner Maria Inglis says her focus is on 'affordable luxury'. The new business is located on Gray Street, in the former Millars clothing store unit, which shut last year after more than a century of trading. The shop boasts three kitchen displays and eight bathroom bays and offers a full design to installation service. Maria said: 'We have a variety of price points – it's not all top end. We want to be attainable. 'Affordable luxury is what we're going for – everyone should have a nice space to live in.' The heated Japanese toilet on display has the ability to wash and dry. The £7,500 black stone bath in the window has been imported from Italy. It required six people to lift the 220kg bath into the shop. 'The Japanese-style toilets are becoming more popular,' said Maria. 'It is an expensive item – not everyone will put this in their bathroom – but there are people who will go for this. 'It has ambient lighting on the toilet so you don't need to put the bathroom lights on in the middle of the night. 'The bath comes from Aquabella, a Spanish company. They are quite exclusive and expensive, for people who want to have something extra special. 'We've put it in the window to show we're different and not run-of-the-mill. We hope having something spectacular in the window will draw people in to have a look.' Maria, who is married to Ian, said she has a passion for bathrooms and kitchens. She said the kitchens in the business are British-made with an emphasis on innovative storage solutions. She adds: 'I find kitchens exciting. As a mother of three, I feel like I spend my life in the kitchen. 'It's such a valuable space in the home. It needs to look good, but it needs to work for you as a family. It's the heart of the home. 'The Scandi-look is on trend at the moment, with a lot of natural textures and quite clean and minimalist. 'Open shelving is very popular, particularly in smaller spaces as it gives the feeling of more space. 'People are wanting to see a bit of texture in their bathrooms.' Maria said there had been a lot of interest from passing customers as the shop underwent a three-month refurbishment. The couple, who live in Monifieth, have spent more than £160,000 on the refurbishment and stock. Maria, who overcame throat cancer five years ago, said: 'When the premises popped up on Gray Street it was an opportunity not to be missed. 'We have had so many people asking about the shop as the work's been going on. 'We're really excited to open our doors on Saturday.'


Scottish Sun
37 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Wimbledon star Sonay Kartal playing for life-changing payday after struggling to afford a tennis coach
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SONAY KARTAL has spoken of her tennis financial struggles while growing up – ahead of a potential £240,000 payday. Emma Raducanu's childhood rival is on the cusp of reaching the Wimbledon fourth round for the first time in her career. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Sonay Kartal has dazzled the British crowd in SW19 Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Unlike some in the sport, the 23-year-old did not have a silver spoon in her mouth – she had a modest upbringing in Brighton and her family ran a local Turkish restaurant. Yet when it came to the sport she chose, having dabbled with football and cricket, she did not have any support until hooking up with the LTA aged 19 and earning Pro Scholarship Programme (PSP) funding. Kartal – who plays French qualifier Diane Parry on Friday – has £152,000 in her back pocket but if she wins two sets, she will add an extra £68,000 to her back balance. The British No.3 said: 'Obviously tennis is super expensive. READ MORE WIMBLEDON Wimbledon 2025 Djokovic BEATS Evans, Draper takes on Cilic, Sinner and Shelton feature 'When I was growing up, I kind of did quite a lot of tournaments on my own because I couldn't afford to pay a coach week-in, week-out. 'It helped me develop as a teenager, grow up super fast, made me much more mature. I held myself accountable to a lot of things. 'The LTA helped me massively. It came at exactly the right time. It was when I started to come on the scene and was putting together a few good wins consistently. 'They really helped to give me all the equipment and access to everything I needed to develop as well. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 Kartal, 23, did not have it as easy as many tennis players growing up Credit: Getty 'I've shot up the rankings. My game style really rocketed. 'My coaches back in the day, they would charge me I guess the lowest fee and would try to help me out as much as possible. Watch British Wimbledon stars Emma Raducanu and Sonay Kartal have incredible rally at 9-YEARS-OLD in throwback video 'I was out quite a lot of years injured as a teenager. 'I didn't pick up a racquet for a couple years. I was kind of a bit inconsistent as I was going through my teenage years.' 3 Wimbledon 2025 LIVE - follow all the latest scores and updates from a thrilling fortnight at SW19