Pentland Brands has announced its latest plan to build a business that reflects the global and digital nature of its growing organisation. Central to the plan is establishing a new central London Hub, located in Farringdon.
Pentland Brands owns an extensive portfolio of sports, outdoor and lifestyle brands, which help consumers live healthy, active, and sustainable lives. Some of its best-known brands include Speedo, Berghaus, Canterbury, Endura, ellesse and Mitre.
The business’s plan is centred around working together as one global business, having the skills in the right locations, and building a simplified organisation designed to drive further growth. This includes investing in global product innovation capabilities and providing all brands with cutting-edge expertise in new product development.
For Speedo, this means creating a global product engine in the US, while brand leadership and marketing operations will remain in the UK. For Canterbury, the global business will be led from the brand’s authentic heartland in New Zealand, while its teamwear and licensed properties will be run from the UK.
To deliver the plan, Pentland Brands will simplify the way its business is organised with around 90 people expected to leave the organisation. It plans to focus more resources on product, digital, consumer data and analytics.
Chirag Patel, CEO of Pentland Brands, said: “We’re a growing business with 2023 revenue and profit expected to exceed pre-pandemic highs. Our plans will accelerate this growth and position us at the forefront of digital innovation and consumer engagement, at a moment in time when our brands are more important than ever in helping people to live more active and healthy lives.”
Strategically located a stone’s throw away from Farringdon station, the newly established Pentland Brands London Hub will be based at one of London’s most accessible transport hubs and a popular location for consumer brands.
Patel added: “With our new hub in the heart of London, we will create a collaborative space with a strong culture and community. A creative place where our teams and our brands can thrive, grow and deliver on our purpose to pioneer brands that make life better.”
The business changes are expected to be in place by the end of Q3 2023, with the new central London Hub opening in early 2024.
