LK Bennett snapped up by former Laura Ashley owner

LK Bennett has been acquired by US investment firm Gordon Brothers, which previously owned Laura Ashley before offloading it to Ben Sherman-owner Marquee Brands in January 2025.

Gordon Brothers, which also acquired Poundland in June 2025, will transition LK Bennett to an “asset-light model”, which will likely point to job losses on the horizon.

The upmarket British fashion brand, best known for its limited-edition ready-to-wear collections, signature shoes, bags and accessories, filed its intention to appoint administrators earlier this month after failing to find a buyer - with NEXT previously among the mooted suitors.

Tobias Nanda, Head of Brands at Gordon Brothers, said: “LK Bennett is a beloved heritage brand with a reputation for impeccable craftsmanship and quality, and a distinctly British spirit.

“We are excited to add LK Bennett to our portfolio of brands and proud to steward the brand into the next phase of growth bringing LK Bennett’s modern luxury to both long-time followers and new customers from around the world.”

Founded in the 1990s by Linda Bennett, LK Bennett, once a firm favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, started with a single boutique in Wimbledon, before growing to have nine stores in the UK and operating at a further 13 concessions. It currently employs about 280 staff.

As the new owners of the brand, Gordon Brothers will evaluate several go-to-market strategies for the business, with an emphasis on building relationships with retailers, continuing to expand the brand through creative marketing opportunities "that delight the consumer", and growing the portfolio of licensees and franchisees.

The firm will focus on transitioning LK Bennett to the asset-light model, as Gordon Brothers did with the successful revitalisation and expansion of the Laura Ashley brand globally. It also invests in product development and marketing for its portfolio of brands.

Nimit Shah, Managing Director, EMEA at Gordon Brothers, said: “We are delighted to provide a solution to the administrators that both ensures value to the estate and preserves the longevity of this iconic British brand.

“We believe the LK Bennett brand is capable of reinvigoration under a new asset-light model.”