Pentland Group
| Type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports apparel |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Key people |
|
| Revenue |
 GB£1.78bn (2013) |
| Operating income |
GB£62.9m (2013) |
| Owner(s) | Stephen Rubin and family |
| Website | www.pentland.com |
Pentland Group plc is a privately held, global brand management British company, involved in the sports, outdoor and fashion markets. It is owned by Stephen Rubin and family. It had sales of £973 million in 2007, making it the 42nd largest private company in the United Kingdom.
History
The success of Pentland Group can be traced back to August 1981 when Pentland Industries acquired 55% of Reebok for US$77,500. By 1983/84, Reebok accounted for 70% of Pentland's turnover. Pentland's shares rose from GB£0.55 at the start of 1984 to GB£3 by the end of the year and up to GB£10 in June 1985, while profits rose from GB£1 million in 1983 to GB£12.9 million in 1985. Pentland then listed 60% of Reebok in a flotation valuing the company at US$300 million.[1]
Stephen Rubin joined Pentland at the age of 21, working for his father.[2] He later became chairman and chief executive of Pentland, remaining so until 1998 when he split his role and appointed his son, Andrew, chief executive.[2]
Pentland was taken private in 1999 to focus on longer-term investments.[3] However, it appears that City institutions were unhappy with the way Rubin was running the company, which underperformed the market by 40% since it floated in 1989.[2]
The group owns or has shares in the following brands: Speedo, Ellesse, Berghaus, Boxfresh, Mitre, Red or Dead, Franco Sarto, Ted Baker Footwear, KangaROOS,[4][5] The group is the worldwide licensee for Lacoste and Ted Baker footwear. Pentland also has a licence from Kickers international BV to sell Kickers products.
Pentland Group acquired 45% of JD Sports Fashion plc from its founders, John Wardle and David Makin, in May 2005.[6] Pentland Group is the majority owner of JD Sports, which has 600 retail outlets in the UK, including JD, Bank, Scotts, Size, Blacks and Millets. Pentland also trade under the name of Brand-Fusion. There are currently 12 Brand-Fusion Outlets across the UK (2009) Pentland also has a venture capital division.
In 2013, the company reported a 45% drop in pre-tax profits to GB£62.9m on turnover of GB£1.78bn.[7]
References
- ↑ Blakey, George G. (2010). A History of the London Stock Market 1945–2009. Harriman House. ISBN 1906659621.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ahmad, Sameena (4 September 1997). "Concern as sportswear boss gives son top job". Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ Tyler, Richard (16 October 2003). "Pentland's private route to 'best UK workplace'". Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ One7 Seeks to Revive KangaRoos
- ↑ Pentland Plc: Brands
- ↑ Finch, Julia (12 May 2005). "JD Sports founders cash in and quit with £45m". Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ "Digest: Pentland stuck in the mud". Sunday Times. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.