Retail Week revealed this morning that former Mothercare finance director Neil Harrington is to join fast-growing private equity-backed retailer Cath Kidston. Here’s 10 things you might not know about the quirky homewares and fashion business.
The retailer was founded by designer Cath Kidston when she set up a small store selling vintage fabrics in Holland Park, London in 1993.
The quintessentially English retailer has 47 UK stores and 30 overseas stores in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.
Kidston is an international business now, but has not always had success - it closed its two US in New York and Santa Monica, after failing to win over the American public.
The business was bought by US private equity group TA Associates in 2010 in a deal understood to be worth more than £100m. Kidston remains creative director.
The dog motif that appears on some products is based on Kidston’s terrier Stanley.
The retailer is also a book publisher, with Kidston herself penning tones such as Sew! and Stitch!
The brand has conducted a series of high-profile collaborations with retailers including Millets to create Cath Kidston tents, along with Nokia and Carphone Warehouse in 2006 to produce a mobile phone, and Tesco to produce a bag. More recently it teamed up with Uniqlo to design a range of t-shirts.
Under the new ownership former Somerfield boss Paul Mason was brought in as chairman with former Claire’s Accessories European president Kenny Wilson later joining as chief executive.
Kidston, who used to be an interior designer, is the cousin of design guru and TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp . She was also the year above Princess Diana at West Heath boarding school in Kent.
In 2010 she was awarded an MBE for services to business as part of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List
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