John Ayton

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John Ayton
Born1962/1963 (age 57–58)[1]
NationalityBritish
EducationOxford University
OccupationBusinessman
Spouse(s)Annoushka Ducas
Children4

John Ayton MBE (born 1962/1963), is a British businessman and investor in the luxury goods industry,[2] and the co-founder of Links of London and Annoushka, an English jewellery brand founded in 2009.[3]

Early life[]

Ayton graduated in modern history from Oxford University in 1983.[citation needed]

Career[]

After university, Ayton worked in corporate law in London and Hong Kong.[citation needed]

Leaving the legal profession in 1995, he was on the advisory board of Halston Borghese Inc, a US-based cosmetics company, responsible for restructuring their Japanese and German operations.[4]

In 1990, together with his wife, jewellery designer Annoushka Ducas, Ayton co-founded Links of London, a jewellery brand with sales of over £50m. In July 2006, they sold the company to Folli Follie SA.[5] In October 2007, Ayton stepped down from the company.[4]

In July 2009, Ayton and Ducas launched English jewellery brand Annoushka Jewellery.[5]

Investment and mentoring[]

Ayton has invested at the earliest stage in emerging luxury brands including Bremont Watch Company,[4] Orlebar Brown,[6] Mr Hare,[7] Boticca.com,[8] and Grind & Co.[9]

He also acts as a mentor and advisor to the founders, and is chairman at both Bremont[10] and Mr Hare.[7]

Ayton was the founder of Walpole Brands of Tomorrow and its chair and a director until 2014. Since 2007, he has been mentoring and supporting British emerging talent within the luxury goods industry.[4]

Other[]

Ayton and wife Ducas were ambassadors for Team 2012, the campaign to support British athletes in their quest for medal success in the London Olympics. The campaign raised over £18 million.[11]

Honours[]

In the 2012 New Years Honours List, Ayton was awarded an MBE for his services to the UK jewellery industry.[12]

Personal life[]

Ayton and Ducas live in a Georgian cottage in Pimlico, London, since 2007, having previously lived in Notting Hill.[1] They also have a seaside house in Bosham, West Sussex.[13] They have four children.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Stockley, Phillippa (1 November 2017). "Charmed:inside the home of Links of London founder Annoushka Ducas - a Pimlico cottage remodelled into a Georgian jewel". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  2. ^ "John Ayton MBE". Archived from the original on 13 August 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  3. ^ Doyle, Emma (11 July 2011). "Annoushka Ducas visits Manchester's to launch new collection into Harvey Nichols". Drapers. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "John Ayton – Links of London". Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Doherty, Kate (3 January 2012). "Annoushka Ducas and John Ayton awarded MBEs". Retail Jeweller. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Consumer-focussed Piper Private Equity tries on Orlebar Brown for size". Growthbusiness.co.uk. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Hurley, James. "Mr Hare backed by Links of London founder". Telegraph. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. ^ Corder, Rob (16 May 2011). "John Ayton named as backer for Boticca.com". Professional Jeweller. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Entrepreneurs: The London coffee chain blending cool and high quality". Evening Standard. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Bremont Boutique Launch Party, Mayfair 17th July 2012". Bremont Watch Company. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  11. ^ "John Ayton to carry Olympic torch". Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2013.
  12. ^ Doherty, Kate (14 May 2012). "Annoushka Ducas and John Ayton accept MBEs from Queen at Buckingham Palace". Retail Jeweller. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Blackhurst, Chris (15 May 2015). "Annoushka Ducas: Links of London founder sparkling again with second retail success". Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
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