John Ayton
John Ayton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962 or 1963 (age 62–63)[1] |
| Education | Oxford University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse | Annoushka Ducas |
| Children | 4 |
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
[edit | edit source]Ayton was educated at Oundle School and graduated in Modern History from Oxford University in 1983.[citation needed]
Career
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]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
[edit | edit source]In the 2012 New Years Honours List, Ayton was awarded an MBE for his services to the UK jewellery industry.[12]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]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
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