Lovehoney, the top-rated pleasure products e-tailer based in the UK, has received an injection of funds to expand overseas. Investment company Telemos Capital has bought a majority stake in the sex toy retailer. The transaction is Telemos’ first investment in the UK. Financial details have not been disclosed.
Lovehoney has grown into an international success, delivering record sales in the region of £100 million for the year ended March 31, 2018.
More than half of sales (60%) came from the UK, with the remainder from Europe, US and Australia, all of which have achieved significant growth in recent years. The business delivered strong compound annual sales growth of roughly 30% in the last three years. In recognition of the business’ achievements, Lovehoney received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2016.
Following the investment, Lovehoney co-founders Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford will continue to lead day-to-day operations with Telemos’ Executive Chairman Philippe Jacobs and Chief Investment Officer Jacob Polny joining the Lovehoney board.
The partnership with Telemos highlights the achievements of the Lovehoney management team, which has consistently challenged the market while delivering innovative, high-quality products and exceptional top-line growth.
With the backing of Telemos, Lovehoney will accelerate its plans for international expansion, tapping into fragmented and underdeveloped markets and building on its strong consumer engagement. Lovehoney will invest in new technology and marketing, allowing the business to raise its profile in new geographies, and to continue to evolve its excellent customer service, online content, community and innovative new products.
Neal Slateford, co-founder of Lovehoney, said, “We're excited to be partnering with Telemos as we continue our strategy to grow Lovehoney into the world's leading sexual happiness retailer. This investment shows the strength of online retail and will allow us to break into new markets globally.”
“This is the culmination of 16 years of hard work by our brilliant teams in Bath and our offices worldwide," added Richard Longhurst, co-founder of Lovehoney. "It has been a phenomenal journey for Neal and I and we're beyond excited at our future plans for Lovehoney.”
Philippe Jacobs, Executive Chairman of Telemos, stated, “We are delighted to have made this investment which demonstrates our differentiated thinking and approach. Richard and Neal have created a great company. We are excited to partner with founders with long-term growth aspirations and a desire for a flexible and nimble investor.”
Jacob Polny, Chief Investment Officer of Telemos, added, “We were attracted to Lovehoney’s category leadership, the strong own-brand portfolio and the combination of customer service, community and content that truly differentiates the proposition. We look forward to working with Lovehoney’s founders and management team to grow the business in the UK and internationally in the years to come.”
Telemos comprises a team of a highly experienced investment professionals who combine the best of private equity and permanent growth capital. Telemos identifies and supports exceptional management teams in consumer goods, healthcare services and business services to help them realize their long-term objectives. As a flexible and nimble investor, Telemos’ distinct structure and expertise makes it a leading, new generation European private equity firm, looking to identify and unlock growth opportunities which may be overlooked by traditional investors.
Pictured, l-r: Philippe Jacobs, Neal Slateford, Jacob Polny and Richard Longhurst
