Gola owner Jacobson Group snapped up by US platform as founder retires

Jacobson Group, the British owner of lifestyle footwear brands including Gola, Ravel, Frank Wright and Lotus, along with licensed brands Dunlop and Lonsdale, has been acquired by Marubeni Consumer Platform US (MCPU).

The news comes following the retirement of Harvey Jacobson, founder and Executive Chairman of Jacobson Group, who started the business with his brother in 1982.

Jacobson Group has evolved from a family founded British footwear business into a globally recognised, multi-brand enterprise. Gola’s more than 120-year heritage and timeless design aesthetic in lifestyle and casual footwear anchors the portfolio and “strengthens the platform’s position in attractive, high potential categories”.

Under the agreement, Jacobson Group will be integrated into the MCPU’s lifestyle platform, with RGB Brands (RGB) serving as the platform engine. Financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.

Marubeni’s Next Generation Corporate Development Division leads the company’s corporate development agenda, “executing investments and M&A (merger and acquisition) to capture high growth opportunities in the global consumer sector”.

To ensure continuity, a smooth transition, and the preservation of the deep industry knowledge and entrepreneurial culture that has shaped the business, Jacobson Group will continue to be led by its existing leadership team - including Tony Evans, CEO of Jacobson Group.

Harvey Jacobson said: “I am hugely proud of everything Jacobson Group has achieved since my brother and I launched the business in 1982. It has been a privilege to steward these iconic British footwear brands, and I would like to thank all our employees for the commitment and dedication they have shown to our family business over many decades.

“As we look to the future, Marubeni and RGB Brands offer the ideal platform, vision and long term commitment to take Jacobson’s brands into their next phase of growth. I am confident the business will continue to go from strength to strength, and I wish everyone at Jacobson, RGB and Marubeni every success as they embark on this exciting new chapter together.”

Tony Evans commented: “We have never been in a stronger position, and joining this platform will allow us to build on that momentum while remaining true to the values that make Jacobson Group so special.
“This acquisition represents a major milestone for the business, and I look forward to working closely with the RGB and Marubeni teams to drive growth across the globe.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our Jacobson employees as we celebrate this landmark achievement. Finally, I would like to recognise the enormous role that Harvey and the wider Jacobson family has played in making the group what it is today. He has put his heart and soul into growing the business, and we all owe him our sincere thanks as we wish him well in his retirement.”

Shana Randhava, President of Marubeni Consumer Platform US, said: “The acquisition of Jacobson Group advances the platform architecture we’ve been building, and comes at a particularly exciting time - fuelled by Gola’s rapidly expanding market resonance.”

The MCPU lifestyle platform is anchored by RGB, under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer, Bob Mullaney. RGB has more than 75 years of category expertise, with a consumer focused and data driven philosophy. It is the operational engine powering a portfolio of consumer brands, including Dearfoams, Baggallini, and Columbus Product Group, “with the scale to reach millions across leading retailers”.

In November, RGB also announced an agreement “in principle” to acquire the global slipper license for Clarks and the US slipper license for Timberland from Green Market Services.

RGB’s Bob Mullaney added: “This is a transformative moment for RGB. Gola brings cultural relevance and global ambition, and the broader Jacobson portfolio extends the platform’s reach across lifestyle and heritage categories. Our values are closely aligned, and we are committed to investing in what already makes these brands distinctive.

“By pairing Jacobson’s strengths with RGB’s scale, infrastructure and operational excellence, we are well positioned to accelerate growth across key international markets.”