SCHOFIELD SWEENEY INSTRUMENTAL IN GHD MANAGEMENT BUY-OUT

Specialist commercial law practice, Schofield Sweeney, has acted as one of the lead advisors on the buy-out of Silsden-based Jemella Group, the company behind the most successful hair straightening products in the UK and the ghd brand.

Jemella manufactures the iconic range of hair styling irons and hair products, which are sold in the UK and worldwide.

Schofield Sweeney acted on behalf of shareholder Robert Powls who has sold out to Martin Penny, chief executive and founder of Jemella.

The hair product company ghd, (an acronym of the phrase good hair day), was founded in January 2001 by three Yorkshire entrepreneurs who discovered a revolutionary ceramic hair straightening iron in the USA.

From its humble beginnings in the kitchen of one of the founders in Ilkley, ghd has grown at an impressive rate, with celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Madonna all using the brand.

Ghd has is now a key consumer brand in the UK having taken the hair and beauty industry by storm. It is now working towards globalising the brand, and has already launched the product in Australia, Italy, Spain, South Africa, the USA and Scandinavia.

Schofield Sweeney Chief Executive, Martin Sweeney, says ‘The sale was the culmination of lengthy and sometimes sensitive negotiations. We were very pleased to have been able to make a contribution to the process and to be able to add significant value for our client’

Schofield Sweeney Chairman, Chris Schofield, adds: “It’s always good to be involved with a company with such a high profile.”

July 2006