Maidenhead: Wilson Partners advises Rockpool on its investment in Cotswold Collections

Rockpool Investments LLP has invested into women’s fashion brand Cotswold Collections, funding a management buyout of the business. The transaction is Rockpool’s 9th of 2017, taking the total amount invested in 2017 to £40 million. 

Cotswold Collections offers a unique range of fashionable women’s clothing and accessories, aimed at affluent mature women. The in-house design team, led by Jane Cheeseman, has considerable experience of creating designs that appeal to its large and loyal customer base and fit within a classic British style. Using the direct retail channels of mail order catalogues, online and telephone, Cotswold Collections has successfully operated for over 20 years, maintaining the high-quality design, materials, and manufacture of its products, many of which are developed locally.

Rockpool has appointed Stewart Binnie as non-executive chairman and Mark Dugdale as non-executive director of Cotswold Collections to support the management team with their invaluable expertise in the fashion and retail sector.

Jane Cheesman, managing director of Cotswold Collections commented: “Having been with Cotswold Collections for over 20 years, I am thrilled to be part of taking the brand into its next stage of growth through the opportunities that Rockpool’s involvement opens up to us. The buyout team and myself are excited about our plans for the brand’s future and we are looking forward to realising these with Rockpool’s support.”

Anthony Francis, investment director at Rockpool said: “Cotswold Collections is an exciting opportunity for us to enter the increasingly profitable ‘silver surfer’ market. With a significant repeat-customer base and healthy profit margins, Cotswold Collections is a high-quality, established brand in which we have identified significant growth potential. Through backing the incumbent management team and their impressive experience in the sector, we are confident that Rockpool’s involvement and the appointment of Stewart Binnie and Mark Dugdale will accelerate growth of the company. We look forward to continuing our support of management as they enter this important new chapter at Cotswold Collections.”

Dan James, head of transaction services at Wilson Partners added: "Rockpool continues to support attractive SME’s across the UK. Great for the market and we are delighted to be trusted advisers to the Rockpool team"

www.wilson-partners.co.uk