Maurice Bennett CBE
Chairman
Long Tall Sally, Kookai UK, Austique
Maurice Bennett is a renowned retail industry entrepreneur, for which he received a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List (December 2007).
In partnership with is brother, Michael, after successfully building-up and selling Bennett Cameras to Dixons, they founded Warehouse, the first really successful British own-band, design-led, fashion retailer, which was subsequently sold to Freeman’s in 1986 and is still prospering.
In 1991, the Bennetts founded Oasis Stores, developing the business from £1m turnover to a hugely successful, publicly-listed fashion retailer. Along the way they bought Coast - a brand developed from £2m turnover when it was bought, to almost £100m. In 2002, Maurice and Michael successfully exited Oasis Group when PPM Ventures took the company private.
Maurice and Michael subsequently took control of Phase Eight, turning around and growing the company before selling it to Barclays Capital in 2005, producing seven times return on investment for themselves and their partners.
In 2005, Maurice and Michael backed Amery Capital’s acquisition of Long Tall Sally and in October 2009, LTS developed the brand and business in North America by acquiring Canadian Retailer, Tall Girl ; in 2011 they acquired Long Fashion, Germany.
In May 2007, again with Amery Capital, they acquired a major share in Retail Profile (Europe) Limited, and April 2010, the company was sold to SpaceandPeople, achieving 3.5 times multiple on capital invested. Oliver Sweeney, the famous British footwear and accessories brand joined Amery Capital’s growing family of investments in June 2009.
Amery Capital is also a minority stakeholder in Kookai UK, where Maurice is Joint Chairman.
Independently, Maurice is Chairman of Austique, the fashion-forward contemporary womenswear store.
Maurice has demonstrated, over a long and successful career, particular strengths in the areas of supply chain and corporate conflict resolution.
Maurice was previously Chairman of Pout, which was sold after four years, realising a seven-fold return for its shareholders, and Steribottle. He is also a past Treasurer for the Conservative Party.
Maurice is the founder of website www.londonunlocked.org (and sister site www.acarfreelondon.org) which aims to be the number one resource for London transport, bringing together news, articles, and in-depth studies on the issues of the day
Maurice and Michael Bennett were awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drapers Awards in 2006.
Maurice is married to Jacky and they have four children and nine grandchildren.
In 1991, the Bennetts founded Oasis Stores, developing the business from £1m turnover to a hugely successful, publicly-listed fashion retailer. Along the way they bought Coast - a brand developed from £2m turnover when it was bought, to almost £100m. In 2002, Maurice and Michael successfully exited Oasis Group when PPM Ventures took the company private.
Maurice and Michael subsequently took control of Phase Eight, turning around and growing the company before selling it to Barclays Capital in 2005, producing seven times return on investment for themselves and their partners.
In 2005, Maurice and Michael backed Amery Capital’s acquisition of Long Tall Sally and in October 2009, LTS developed the brand and business in North America by acquiring Canadian Retailer, Tall Girl ; in 2011 they acquired Long Fashion, Germany.
In May 2007, again with Amery Capital, they acquired a major share in Retail Profile (Europe) Limited, and April 2010, the company was sold to SpaceandPeople, achieving 3.5 times multiple on capital invested. Oliver Sweeney, the famous British footwear and accessories brand joined Amery Capital’s growing family of investments in June 2009.
Amery Capital is also a minority stakeholder in Kookai UK, where Maurice is Joint Chairman.
Independently, Maurice is Chairman of Austique, the fashion-forward contemporary womenswear store.
Maurice has demonstrated, over a long and successful career, particular strengths in the areas of supply chain and corporate conflict resolution.
Maurice was previously Chairman of Pout, which was sold after four years, realising a seven-fold return for its shareholders, and Steribottle. He is also a past Treasurer for the Conservative Party.
Maurice is the founder of website www.londonunlocked.org (and sister site www.acarfreelondon.org) which aims to be the number one resource for London transport, bringing together news, articles, and in-depth studies on the issues of the day
Maurice and Michael Bennett were awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drapers Awards in 2006.
Maurice is married to Jacky and they have four children and nine grandchildren.
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