Refined Brands acquires Kettlewell Colours
Refined Brands, the digitally native portfolio of ethically sourced, natural and sustainable British brands, is delighted to announce the acquisition of Kettlewell Colours.
Founded in 2004 by Melissa Nicholson and her husband John, the brand was created to enable women to shop their best colours all year round. Headquartered in Somerset, Kettlewell Colours sells wardrobe essentials in over 300 colours to customers internationally – working predominantly with small, family-run factories in Portugal, Turkey and the UK who share their environmental values.
Kettlewell Colours reported revenue of £8.9 million in the LTM. It joins sustainable Cornish lifestyle brand Celtic & Co, ethical childrenswear brand Frugi, and the upcycled cashmere accessories brand Turtle Doves, in the Refined Brands portfolio.
Melissa Nicholson, Founder of Kettlewell Colours, commented:
“I am thrilled to be joining a fantastic group of entrepreneurial British brands with sustainability at their heart. I am really looking forward to partnering with the Refined Brands team to accelerate the growth of Kettlewell Colours in the UK and Internationally, introducing more people to the powerful benefits of wearing your best colours.”
James Williams, Group Managing Director for Refined Brands, added:
“We have long been admirers of Kettlewell’s philosophy, renowned for products that offer longevity with a focus on maximising your full wardrobe and a cost per wear ethos at the heart. Working alongside the team, we are looking forward to extending natural, organic and recycled fibres through the range over the coming seasons.”
Ben Barnett, Chair for Refined Brands, concluded:
“Refined Brands seeks to create a differentiated family of sustainable fashion brands, alongside founders and teams that share our passion and vision. Melissa, John and the Kettlewell Colours team have built a phenomenally engaged community built around a deep understanding of colour. I am delighted to welcome Melissa, her team and the Kettlewell Colours community to the group.”
Key transaction stakeholders
Kvika Bank acted as financial advisor to Refined Brands
BCMS acted as financial advisor to Kettlewell Colours
Grant Thornton LLP provided financial due diligence for the transaction
George Green LLP acted as legal advisors to Refined Brands
Knights acted as legal advisors to Kettlewell Colours
About Refined Brands
Refined Brands is the leading digitally native portfolio of ethically sourced, natural and sustainable British brands. Built on the back of British heritage brands and high-quality local manufacturing, the group was founded in February 2021 by Ben Barnett, former CEO of TFG London (owner of the Phase Eight, Whistles and Hobbs brands) and retail veteran Michael Rahamim. The group is funded by the team, in partnership with HSBC, Kvika Bank and Souter Investments, the family investment office of Stagecoach co-founder, Sir Brian Souter.
About Kettlewell Colours
In 2004, Melissa Nicholson and her husband John founded Kettlewell as a solution to something that had been frustrating her for years: not being able to shop bright colours all year round. Today, the Somerset-based company sells wardrobe essentials in 300 colours to customers across the world, working only with small, family-run factories in Portugal and Turkey who share their environmental values and provide safe and fair working conditions for their employees.
About Celtic & Co.
Founded by Nick and Kath Whitworth in 1990, and headquartered in Cornwall, Celtic & Co. is a pioneering, digitally native retailer of ethically sourced, natural sustainable knitwear, footwear and outerwear. The brand continues to stay true to its heritage, with in-house manufacturing of its sheepskin boots and slippers continuing to take place in Newquay, Cornwall.
About Turtle Doves
Founded in 2009 by Kate and Graham Holbrook, Turtle Doves specialises in using post-consumer textile waste to create beautiful new garments and accessories. All of Turtle Doves products are manufactured in the United Kingdom from recycled cashmere, using discarded or donated woollens to produce a range including fingerless gloves, leg and wrist warmers, beanie hats and more.
About Frugi
Frugi was founded in 2004 by Kurt and Lucy Jewson after they struggled to find sustainable clothes to fit over reusable nappies. Now, Frugi is the UK’s leading ethical and organic children’s clothing brand available to buy online globally in 30 countries, with its range from newborn to ten years.
