Private equity firm Cinven has bought luxury footwear retailer Kurt Geiger for £245million.
Cinven, which previously owned restaurant chain Pizza Express as well as bookmakers William Hill and gym chain Fitness First beat the likes of Lion Capital, previous owner of Jimmy Choo to win the business as it plans to expand international stores and online sales. It will be the shoe brand’s third owner in four years.
The company, which started in 1963, now has 80 global stores including a site in Selfridges as well as selling the Carvela brand in 240 concessions including Harrods.
As part of the deal with Cinven, finance boss Dale Christilaw, Rebecca Farrar-Hockley and chief executive Neil Clifford will remain with the business.
The popular shoe retailer also has a celebrity following which includes Rhianna and Mad Men actor Jon Hamn.
