M&A Deal Summary

Gordon Brothers Finance Acquires Laura Ashley

On April 23, 2020, lender Gordon Brothers Finance acquired e-commerce company Laura Ashley

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Gordon Brothers Finance’s 1st transaction in the E-Commerce sector.
  • This is Gordon Brothers Finance’s 1st transaction in the United Kingdom.
Investment Fate
  • Laura Ashley was sold to a strategic buyer in 2025.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2020-04-23
Target Laura Ashley
Sector E-Commerce
Buyer(s) Gordon Brothers Finance
Deal Type Going Private

Target

Laura Ashley

Newtown, United Kingdom
Laura Ashley is a retail, wholesale, licensing, and franchising business selling both home furnishings and fashion products. With an eye for delivering quintessentially British goods with a modern flair, the brand developed a passionate following which has allowed it to maintain its relevance regardless of the way the winds of fashion have blown. Laura Ashley Holdings is based in Newtown, United Kingdom.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Gordon Brothers Finance

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Lender
Founded 1903
PE ASSETS 500M USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

GB Merchant Partners (GB) is the private investment arm of the Gordon Brothers Group. GB looks to make traditional private equity investments as well as provide structured loans and acquire secondary debt instruments. Within private equity, GB seeks investments in all segments of the consumer products and services sectors, including retail, distribution, wholesale, licensing and manufacturing. Target companies 'usually have meaningful brand equity, or a product or service that is capable of creating a leading and defensible market position'. Prospective transactions include management buyouts, growth capital financings, as well as restructurings or turnarounds. GB is based in Boston with an additional office in New York City.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 18 of 21
Sector (E-Commerce) 1 of 1
Type (Going Private) 3 of 3
Country (United Kingdom) 1 of 1
Year (2020) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2017-09-19 Toys R Us

Wayne, New Jersey, United States

Toys “R” Us is a specialty toy and juvenile products retailer, selling merchandise globally through more than 1,600 stores in over 34 countries, and through the company’s websites. Toys 'R' Us was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2021-04-21 Toll Global Express

Melbourne, Australia

Toll Global Express is a highly diversified transportation and logistics business with an unparalleled network across Australia and New Zealand. Toll Global Express is based in Melbourne, Australia.

Buy -
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