Superdry Founder courting US investor to back bid to take company private

Julian Dunkerton, the Founder of Superdry, is in talks with Davidson Kempner, the owner of Oak Furnitureland, negotiating an offer to take the fashion retailer private.

The US investor is among the parties being courted by Dunkerton in order to take the business private, according to Sky News.

In a statement to shareholders, he company said Dunkerton "is engaged in discussions with potential financing partners" over a possible takeover offer for the business.

Over the past year, there has been speculation that the Founder would take the company private. This came after he appointed Interpath Advisory, a restructuring firm, to advise on its "cost base and structure".

The talks are at a preliminary stage and there is no guarantee that Davidson Kempner, which has backed by a number of UK retailers including Jojo Maman Bebe, will ultimately sign an agreement with Dunkerton.

Other investors include Retail Realisation, a firm backed by the Founder of turnaround investor Rcapital.

The retail firm said "discussions are at a preliminary stage and no decisions have been made" about his possible takeover.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Superdry's Founder wanted to buy the majority stake in the company. He already owns roughly 26% of the business.

On Monday, shares in the retailer closed at 33.65p, giving it a market valuation of less than £35 million.