Swan Mill Group, which includes Ling Design, GBCC and Penny Kennedy, has acquired The Gifted Stationery Company (known as Gifted). Gifted, whose products include gift stationery, calendars, diaries and new kids’ lifestyle brand Hey Hugo, will continue trading as a separate operation with its own sales team.
“I’m really excited to welcome the Gifted team to the group and look forward to the continuation of what is a very successful company,” states David Byk, ceo of the Swan Mill Group. “It is a great acquisition for us, within our wheelhouse, but expanding into new areas too, which ties excellently into our customer base, skill set and knowledge base.”
Gifted has been solely owned by Nigel Parr since 2018. He will remain with the business for a minimum of 15 months with the company continuing to be run from its Bath premises, with its own team of sales agents.
While calendars and diaries, of which Gifted has a 500-plus range, are new to the group, stationery is an area in which GBCC is gaining traction in the premium sector. “The acquisition will broaden that offer for the group as a whole, while the Hey Hugo offer is a really exciting opportunity,” added David.
Gifted is the second large acquisition for the Swan Mill Group in the last five years, following on from its purchase of The Great British Card Company (GBCC) and its Waterwells brokerage side in August 2019. The Group also bought Ling Design in 2015, and the Penny Kennedy giftwrap arm in 2004.
Top: It’s a deal! The Swan Mill Group’s ceo David Byk (right) with Gifted’s Nigel Parr.
