International Retailing | Page 18

CURRENT INVESTORS CHAMP VENTURES LORNA JANE’S INTERNATIONALISATION TO THE US MARKET CHAMP Ventures is an Australian mid market private equity firm; they are very much focused on growth capital, replacement capital and management buy-outs. CHAMP Ventures started back in 1987 and they were Australia’s first institutional private equity funds. In November 2009, AMP Capital Investors joined CHAMP Ven-tures. In 2010 CHAMP took a stake in Lorna Jane with the focus to work with the brands partners to help grow the business. On the CHAMP website they state that “With broad demographic appeal and retail stores nationwide, Lorna Jane is well posi-tioned to take advantage of a sustained shift towards health and well-being within the community” In an article published on March 19th 2012 the Deal Journal Australian blog writer Gillian Tan interviewed Lorna Jane Clarkson. Lorna Jane spoke about the com-pany’s US expansion and their partnership with CHAMP. Lorna says “The business runs as it always has but CHAMP’s involvement is like having a group of advisers behind you who have taken Lorna Jane from a family business to a structured private company” When CHAMP and Lorna Jane came together it was made clear that their next move was to get to the US, and CHAMP have been a very supportive business partner during this process. CHAMP have an estimated 40% share of Lorna Jane.