Halcyon Days Limited
COMPANIES & FINANCE UK: Halcyon Days are here for ex-Givenchy man
Financial Times; Feb 2, 2001
By MAGGIE URRY
Halcyon Days is the latest luxury goods company to change hands after being bought by Peter Norman, who was managing director of Parfums Givenchy UK for 15 years.
Susan Benjamin, who founded the enamel boxes and porcelain objets d'art company 50 years ago, has sold it for an undisclosed price.
She said: "I was approached by Peter Norman and he persuaded me to sell. He has such marvellous experience in the luxury world and is a former equerry to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother."
Mrs Benjamin will stay as a consultant. She said that far from being a wrench to sell the business, she was delighted to have someone else take on the administration side.
Mr Norman aims to develop the brand, although maintaining its exclusivity. "It is such a cracking brand, a most wonderful and prestigious company," he said.
The company has annual turnover of Pounds 4.5m. Mr Norman said its exports to the US and Japan were "very underdeveloped".
His bid was backed by Philip and Alessandro Uzielli. Alessandro Uzielli, whose great-grandfather was Henry Ford, founder of the Ford motor company, is planning to open one or two shops in the US.
Mrs Benjamin first set up as a dealer in 18th century English enamels and decided to revive the lost craft of making enamels in 1970.
Halcyon Days was advised by Nellen and Mr Norman by Goodman Derrick. Observer, Page 21
Copyright: The Financial Times Limited