Heritage Marquee Brands Expands Global Portfolio with Acquisition of Laura Ashley®, a Renowned Brand

Heritage Marquee Brands Strengthens Global Portfolio with Acquisition of Laura Ashley®

Marquee Brands, a global leader in brand acceleration and owner of 17 well-established brands, has announced the acquisition of the iconic British lifestyle brand Laura Ashley® from Gordon Brothers, a global asset expert firm. Founded in 1953, Laura Ashley is renowned for its romantic English aesthetic, combining delicate floral prints, vintage-inspired motifs, and exceptional craftsmanship. Over the years, the brand has become a Heritage symbol of timeless design, with products spanning a range of categories, including home décor, fashion, and lifestyle items.

This strategic acquisition represents a significant milestone in Marquee Brands’ expansion strategy, with plans to further leverage the heritage of Laura Ashley for global growth. The deal also marks the opening of Marquee Brands’ first European headquarters in London, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its international footprint. Distributed in over 80 countries, the brand boasts a presence through top-tier wholesalers, digital marketplaces, and over 150 retail locations worldwide. With the addition of Laura Ashley to its portfolio, Marquee Heritage Brands increases the retail value of its global portfolio to over $4 billion.

Heath Golden, CEO of Marquee Brands, expressed his excitement over the acquisition: “Laura Ashley’s strong brand affinity and licensing model make it a perfect fit for Marquee Brands. We look forward Heritage to expanding the brand across new platforms and forming fresh partnerships. With the UK team already in place, we are ready to unlock Laura Ashley’s future potential and innovate within the lifestyle sector, creating new products, collaborations, and engaging audiences of all generations in key global markets.”

Tobias Nanda, Head of Brands at Gordon Brothers, shared his pride in the brand’s transformation under their stewardship: “We acquired Laura Ashley out of insolvency in 2020 and spent the last four years building a scalable, flexible licensing model and a global e-commerce presence. The brand has flourished under Carolyn D’Angelo’s leadership, and we are confident that Laura Ashley is poised for continued success under Marquee Brands’ leadership.”

A Global Lifestyle Brand with Expanding Reach

Marquee Brands is known for its success in scaling iconic brands, and Heritage Laura Ashley will be no exception. The acquisition introduces the brand as a globally recognized lifestyle brand with a fully licensed operating model across key international markets, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and other parts of Asia. Laura Ashley operates in more than 200 lifestyle categories, with over 100 licensed partners across thousands of points of sale. Marquee Brands plans to use its vast network to further strengthen Laura Ashley’s Heritage presence in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, EMEA, and other key regions.

The acquisition follows a transformative year for Marquee Brands, during which the company grew its global portfolio to over $4 billion in retail value. In addition, Marquee Brands has expanded its executive leadership team with several key appointments, including Rachel Terrace as Chief Commercial and Growth Officer, John Hayes as Chief Financial Officer, Joseph Zarro as Chief Business Development Officer, and Natasha Fishman as Chief Marketing Officer. The new leadership is instrumental in driving Marquee Brands’ ongoing growth and ensuring its brands continue to thrive across various global markets.

Marquee Brands is set to begin 2025 on a strong note, with plans to optimize operational efficiencies and foster sustainable growth within its expanding portfolio. With the addition of Laura Ashley, Marquee Brands is in an excellent position to drive further success through product innovation, customer engagement, Heritage and global market expansion.

The Road Ahead for Laura Ashley

Under Marquee Brands, Laura Ashley will benefit from its established infrastructure, global reach, and expertise in scaling iconic brands. The acquisition will allow Laura Ashley to continue its legacy while modernizing the brand and expanding its offerings into new product categories. Marquee Brands plans to focus on creating unique collaborations, tapping into emerging trends, and engaging with a multi-generational audience. This approach Heritage will ensure that Laura Ashley remains relevant in the ever-evolving global market.

Marquee Brands’ acquisition of Laura Ashley is an important move to expand its global presence, and the company is eager to continue building on the brand’s rich history. By combining Laura Ashley’s longstanding reputation for quality design with Marquee Brands’ growth strategy, the two entities will create a compelling future for the iconic British brand.

Marquee Brands Overview

Marquee Brands, founded in 2014 by Neuberger Berman, is a global brand owner, licensor, marketer, and media company. The company operates as a brand accelerator and prominent licensor, Heritage managing a portfolio of well-known brands across multiple industries. Marquee Brands works with top-tier operators to maximize the value of its brands and expand their reach across various channels, geographies, and product categories. The brand portfolio includes Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, Sur La Table, Ben Sherman, BCBG, Dakine, Anti Social Social Club, and more.

About Gordon Brothers

Gordon Brothers has been a trusted name in asset management since 1903, helping Heritage businesses maximize liquidity through asset value optimization. The company specializes in retail, commercial, industrial, and real estate sectors and provides expertise in lending, financing, and trading. Headquartered in Boston, Gordon Brothers operates globally, with offices across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

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