TA Associates Buys Cath Kidston

TA Associates has acquired a majority stake in British lifestyle brand Cath Kidston. No financial terms were disclosed.

PRESS RELEASE

Cath Kidston today announces that TA Associates, the global private equity firm, has acquired a majority stake in the company. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.

As part of the transaction, Founder and Creative Director Cath Kidston will retain a substantial stake in the business and will continue to be fully involved in her current role. Cath Kidston’s senior management will also continue to hold a significant stake.

Cath Kidston said: “We are delighted to have found a fantastic partner in TA Associates whose expertise and international reach will help us to take the business to the next stage of its development. We now have the necessary partner in place to expand the brand internationally in Asia and other markets whilst enhancing our core offer in the UK.”

Chris Parkin, a Principal of TA Associates who will join the company’s Board of Directors, said: “Cath Kidston’s distinctive British lifestyle brand commands a loyal following both in the UK and internationally. We look forward to working with Cath and the management team to further develop the business.”

Jeffrey Barber, a Managing Director of TA Associates who will also join the company’s board, further commented: “Cath Kidston fits nicely with TA’s consumer/retail growth investment strategy. This increasingly global company is well-positioned to capitalise on its unique branded products and design aesthetic to continue to grow rapidly worldwide.”

Quayle Munro were corporate finance advisers to Cath Kidston and its shareholders on the transaction. Hammonds provided legal advice for Cath Kidston and Macfarlanes provided legal advice for TA Associates.

About Cath Kidston:

Cath Kidston is a distinctive British lifestyle brand best known for its witty vintage inspired prints and wide array of household and fashion products – from floral china to polka dot bags. Founded by its namesake in 1993, Cath Kidston is one of the most influential and original design companies to emerge from the UK in recent years. Currently, there are 28 shops and concessions in the UK, two shops in the Republic of Ireland, seven in Japan and one in Kuwait. The Company is an established multi-channel retailer with sales originating from retail, mail order/online and wholesale. Cath Kidston’s position within the market as ‘affordable yet aspirational’ has enabled the products to appeal to a very broad customer base. With its unique prints and products now becoming instantly recognisable around the world, the business has seen increased trade from overseas customers. It is this combination that has been a key ingredient in the success of the business and driven strong trading despite the difficult economic environment.

More information about Cath Kidston can be found at: www.cathkidston.co.uk/

About TA Associates:

Founded in 1968, TA Associates is one of the largest and most experienced middle market private equity firms. The firm has invested in nearly 400 companies and manages more than $16 billion in capital. With offices in Boston, London, Menlo Park and Mumbai, TA Associates leads buyouts and minority investments in profitable growth companies in the consumer, business services, financial services, healthcare and technology industries.

TA Associates has more than four decades of investing experience, focusing on profitable growth companies. TA’s prior investments in the consumer sector include 5.11 Tactical®, eDreams, Lumber Liquidators, M and M Direct and Tempur-Pedic International. TA’s additional UK investments include Drive Assist, GlobeOp Financial Services, ION Trading, Jupiter Investment Management Group, Quotient Bioscience, SmartStream Technologies and Sophos Plc.

More information about TA Associates can be found at www.ta.com.