Amery Capital Ltd

Amery Capital was founded by Maurice Helfgott in November 2004 with a focus on principal investment and advisory activities in retail and consumer related businesses.

Previously Maurice had been an Executive Director of Marks & Spencer, with responsibilities over a 16-year career including Womenswear, Menswear, Corporate Strategy, New Format Development, New Ventures, International and Food. He also has an MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School.

Amery Capital’s three principle ventures to date have been backed by renowned fashion industry entrepreneurs Michael and Maurice Bennett who, over a career spanning more than 50 years, have founded and developed a number of highly successful fashion retail chains, including Warehouse, Oasis, Coast, and Phase Eight.

In June 2005, Amery Capital acquired Long Tall Sally, the leading fashion retailer for tall women, and in January 2006, Amery Capital formed a joint venture with Kookäi SA of France to establish KOOKAÏ UK. In both cases Amery Capital stepped in to take control of deeply troubled, insolvent companies, and played an active hands-on role to effect a turnaround.

May 2007 saw the addition of Retail Profile Europe and its strong entrepreneurial founders, to the Amery Capital portfolio.   Retail Profile is a fast growing, successful, leaser and manager of Retail Merchandisng Units (RMUs), in the top shopping centres all over the UK.  Retail Profile has more than 200 RMUs and is the number one operator in the market, with footfall of more than 7.5 million people per week. Retail Profile Russia successfully launched and is now operating in 14 shopping centres across Russia.

In April 2010 Amery Capital realised the successful sale of Retail Profile Holdings to SpaceandPeople plc, achieving a 3.5 multiple on capital invested. Maurice Helfgott maintains his involvement with the company as a member of the Board of the AIM-listed company.

Oliver Sweeney, the latest addition, was added in June 2009. Oliver Sweeney has been trading in specialist luxury footear for 19 years and, following the investment by Amery Capital, the company has plans to develop the product range for international and direct sales.

Maurice Helfgott and Amery Capital provide advisory services to established clients including leading Hedge Funds and Private Equity sponsors.

Amery Capital has recently been appointed as an independent advisor to the Board of FC Trading, the fast-growing Russian fashion retailer, trading under the name of In City.