LONDON: Oakley Capital Investments Limited announced that Oakley Capital Private Equity III has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Globe-Trotter Group Limited, the British luxury luggage brand, from entrepreneur Toshiyasu Takubo.

Takubo, who has developed the brand significantly in the Japanese market, will retain a minority stake in the company.

Founded in 1897, Globe-Trotter is a British luxury luggage brand. Its world-renowned suitcases are known for their distinguished design and construction, with products that are handcrafted in the UK by skilled artisans using original manufacturing methods and machinery.

Globe-Trotter luggage has built a loyal customer base that includes a number of prominent and influential individuals, while the business has also collaborated with numerous premium brands including Hermès, Tiffany, Gucci, Berluti and Aston Martin.

Through its investment, Oakley intends to strengthen Globe-Trotter’s positioning in the growing luxury travel luggage market, with continued online and offline expansion, product innovation leadership and operational excellence. The investment builds on Oakley’s experience with consumer brands and follows Fund III’s recent investment in iconic homeware brand Alessi. Both companies are expected to benefit from the Oakley team’s expertise and operational experience in branding and digital marketing, built through its successful track record in investments such as Parship Elite and Facile.it.

OCI’s indirect contribution through its interest in Fund III will be approximately £10.6 million.

Peter Dubens, Managing Partner of Oakley Capital, commented: “Globe-Trotter is an iconic British brand and we are delighted to invest in a company with such unique heritage. Oakley believes the brand is well positioned to become a truly global player in the luxury luggage market and is looking forward to partnering with the team at this exciting stage.”

Toshiyasu Takubo, CEO of Globe-Trotter, commented: “Having owned and developed Globe-Trotter for over 20 years, I am very happy to have found an experienced and supportive partner in Oakley to help accelerate the growth of the brand in the coming years. I look forward to being part of that journey alongside them.”