Session 8: Restructuring an Icon: Inside the Laura Ashley Turnaround


This session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation of Laura Ashley – one of the world’s most iconic brands. Led by the Gordon Brothers international brands team, this dynamic session recounts how Gordon Brothers acquired the brand during administration, revitalised the business, and ultimately transitioned it to a successful sale. Featuring a live fireside chat with Tobias Nanda, Gordon Brothers’ Head of Brands, and a short video with both Tobias and Carolyn D’Angelo, former President of Laura Ashley, the session explores the brand’s legacy, the strategic and operational decisions that shaped its turnaround and how it was repositioned for long-term success.