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Barclay family to lose control of Very Group to Carlyle – report

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August 11, 2025

Ownership of digital fashion/lifestyle retail giant Very Group is expected to transfer to one of its major lenders — US investment giant Carlyle Group. Current owner, the Barclay family, is preparing to cede control of the business this autumn, reports suggest.

Very UK

Carlyle, which is the biggest lender to Very Group’s parent company, could assume ownership of the retailer as soon as October under the terms of its financing arrangements, a Sky News report claimed.

Sources said Carlyle is expected to talk with fellow creditors including IMI (the Abu Dhabi-based vehicle which assumed part of Very Group’s debts) in the weeks ahead.

It means Carlyle is likely to end up with a majority stake in Very Group once it exercises a ‘step-in right’, which converts its debt into equity ownership, the sources said adding that None of the parties have commented but the report also said Carlyle may hold on to the business for a while before looking to offload it.

Very Group borrowed a further £600 million from London-based fund Arini earlier this year as it sought to stave off a cash crunch and buy itself breathing space, the report added.

The Barclay family prepped for an auction of Very Group earlier this year, but a process was never formally launched. Sources had put the price tag at around £2.5 billion at the time.

Prospective bidders were expected to be interested in its technology-driven financial services arm as well as the core retail offer that includes its popular Very brand, which claims 4.3 million customers, and the legacy Littlewoods business.

Employing 3,700 people, the group boasts well over £2 billion in annual sales, with about 20% of that generated by its Very Finance consumer lending arm. In the 39 weeks to 29 March, it saw a 3.8% fall in revenue to £1.67 billion.

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Cosmetics giant Unilever finalises business demerger

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December 5, 2025

The demerger of Unilever‘s ice cream division, to be named ‘The Magnum Ice Cream Company,’ which had been delayed in recent months by the US government shutdown, will finally go ahead on Saturday, the British group announced.

Reuters

Unilever said in a statement on Friday that the admission of the new entity’s shares to listing and trading in Amsterdam, London, and New York, as well as the commencement of trading… is expected to take place on Monday, December 8.

The longest federal government shutdown in US history, from October 1 to November 12, fully or partially affected many parts of the federal government, including the securities regulator, after weeks without an agreement between Donald Trump‘s Republicans and the Democratic opposition.

Unilever, which had previously aimed to complete the demerger by mid-November, warned in October that the US securities regulator (SEC) was “not in a position to declare effective” the registration of the new company’s shares. However, the group said it was “determined to implement in 2025” the separation of a division that also includes the Ben & Jerry’s and Cornetto brands, and which will have its primary listing in Amsterdam.

“The registration statement” for the shares in the US “became effective on Thursday, December 4,” Unilever said in its statement. Known for Dove soaps, Axe deodorants and Knorr soups, the group reported a slight decline in third-quarter sales at the end of October, but beat market expectations.

Under pressure from investors, including the activist fund Trian of US billionaire Nelson Peltz, to improve performance, the group last year unveiled a strategic plan to focus on 30 power brands. It then announced the demerger of its ice cream division and, to boost margins, launched a cost-saving plan involving 7,500 job cuts, nearly 6% of the workforce. Unilever’s shares on the London Stock Exchange were steady on Friday shortly after the market opened, at 4,429 pence.
 

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Burberry elevates two SVPs to supply chain and customer exec roles

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December 5, 2025

Burberry has named a new chief operating and supply chain officer as well as a new chief customer officer. They’re both key roles at the recovering luxury giant and both are being promoted from within.

Burberry – Spring-Summer2026 – Womenswear – Royaume-Uni – Londres – ©Launchmetrics/spotlight

Matteo Calonaci becomes chief operating and supply chain officer, moving from his role as senior vice-president of strategy and transformation at the firm. 

In his new role, he’ll be oversee supply chain and planning, strategy and transformation, and data and analytics. He succeeds Klaus Bierbrauer, who’s currently Burberry supply chain and industrial officer. Bierbrauer will be leaving the company following its winter show and a transition period.

Matteo Calonaci - Burberry
Matteo Calonaci – Burberry

Meanwhile, Johnattan Leon steps up as chief customer officer. He’s currently currently Burberry’s senior vice-president of commercial and chief of staff. In his new role he’ll be leading Burberry’s customer, client engagement, customer service and retail excellence teams, while also overseeing its digital, outlet and commercial operations.

Both Calonaci and Leon will join the executive committee, reporting to Company CEO Joshua Schulman.

JohnattanLeon - Burberry
JohnattanLeon – Burberry

Schulman said of the two execs that the appointments “reflect the exceptional talent and leadership we have at Burberry. Both Matteo and Johnattan have been instrumental in strengthening our focus on executional excellence and elevating our customer experience. Their deep understanding of our business, our people, and our customers gives me full confidence that their leadership will help drive [our strategy] Burberry Forward”.

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Puneet Gupta steps into fine jewellery

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December 5, 2025

Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.

Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta

 
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”

The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.

An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta

 
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.

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