Law firm Howes Percival has advised the shareholders of school uniform company Schoolblazer Limited on the sale of the company to Australia’s Hancock & Gore Limited.

Founded in Oundle, in 2004, Schoolblazer grew rapidly to become the dominant retailer to UK independent schools. The deal will support the firm’s continued growth in the UK, as well as enable it to develop a unique offering for the Australian market.

Howes Percival was instructed by the two founders, Tim James and Robin Horsell, and the other shareholders, to sell the entire issued share capital to Hancock & Gore Limited, owner of the Mountcastle and LW Reid brands in Australia and Argyle in New Zealand, to begin the creation of a global uniform group.

Tim James will remain as the chairperson and a director of Schoolblazer from completion and will join the Hancock & Gore board as a director upon completion. Robin Horsell will be stepping down from the board of directors of Schoolblazer but will remain as a consultant, actively supporting the launch of the Schoolblazer business in Australia.

Howes Percival’s Corporate partner James Stephen led the team on the transaction, supported by Ollie Flowers (Director) and Josie Rogers (Associate), with input from a wide range of teams including Commercial, Banking, Commercial Property, IP, Employment, Regulatory and Tax.

James Stephen said: “We really enjoyed supporting the sellers during this transaction, which was delivered to a challenging timeline. They have built a fantastic company, and we look forward to seeing the Schoolblazer brand go from strength to strength as part of the wider Hancock & Gore group.”