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10 January 20252 minute read

DLA Piper advises Gordon Brothers on its sale of global brand Laura Ashley

A cross-border team from DLA Piper has advised global asset investment firm Gordon Brothers on the sale of fashion, home and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley to brand accelerator Marquee Brands.

Following its administration in early 2020, the Laura Ashley brand and assets were acquired by Gordon Brothers in a deal worth in excess of GBP25 million. DLA Piper advised Gordon Brothers then on its acquisition of the brand and its worldwide intellectual property, out of administration. Transformative action saw the business partner with key market collaborators – including Next plc, Lucky Brand, Rag & Bone and Tie Bar – and expand across international markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, and China (marking it's first entry in that territory). Marquee Brands, a US brand accelerator, already owns 17 brands including British clothing label Ben Sherman.

The DLA Piper team, led by partners Robert Russell (Restructuring, Manchester), Jonathan Watkins (Corporate, Manchester) and Adam Ghander (Corporate, Massachusetts), advised on all UK and US aspects of the share sale. The team continues to advise Gordon Brothers post-sale in various capacities, including intellectual property, employment and brand governance matters.

Robert Russel, partner and Head of UK Restructuring at DLA Piper said: "It was great to once again work with Gordon Brothers on its sale of Laura Ashley, a brand which has been on an impressive, transitional journey. DLA Piper colleagues collaborated across jurisdictions and practice groups to support the client with multifaceted and commercially focused advice, from the initial purchase out of administration through its solvent onward sale, and the people and IP matters therein."

The DLA Piper team included Vivak Vaish (senior associate, Manchester), Bethany Jamieson (associate, Manchester), Dylan Clancy (associate, New York) and Tim Fuhriman (counsel, Boston).