Carte Blanche Group has announced a change of ownership at the company as majority shareholders, Stephen Haines and Duncan Spence, leave the business. Haines is the founder of the company and driving force behind a company that made grey bear, Tatty Teddy, into a cute phenomenon.
Their shares have been acquired by Home Bargains founder, Tom Morris, who has also expressed an interest in the brand name an assets of Denby Pottery, which went into administration in the past few days.
Tom’s interest in Carte Blanche is as a private investment only and will not assume any operational role or be involved in the day-to-day running of the gift and card publishing business. Carte Blanche Group remains a separate trading entity.
The company’s leadership team – of Chief Executive Officer, Alister Marchant, and Financial Director, Rob Edgerton – will retain their shareholdings and remain in their positions and continue to oversee all strategic, commercial and operational activity. Their ongoing involvement ensures stability, continuity and a consistent approach to serving customers and partners.
Alister Marchant commented: “This ownership transition reflects the desires of the exiting shareholders, Steve and Duncan. We thank them and wish them all the best for the future. It was very important that we found the right investor and with Tom we have a shared vision that we will work to make reality which secures the business, our people and our brands strongly for the future.
“We have engaged with many customers and suppliers from across all channels in the business and are pleased to confirm their strong support for both the change in ownership and our continued direction. Our team remains fully committed to delivering the same high standards our customers expect from us, and trading relationships remain unchanged.”
