John Ayton

Investor & Chairman

Orlebar Brown

London, UK

Biography

John Ayton MBE formerly co-founded luxury jewellery brands, Links of London and Annoushka, and is an active investor and mentor to new businesses.

Through founding and chairing Walpole Brands of Tomorrow since 2007, John has mentored over sixty growing British luxury brands including Bremont, Charlotte Olympia, Me & Em, Wolf & Badger, Otis Battersbee, Field Candy and Business of Fashion.

John’s early career was as a commercial lawyer in Hong Kong and the City of London. He was awarded an MBE in HM The Queen's New Years' honours list 2012 for services to the UK jewellery industry.

John Ayton’s Newsfeed

How jeweller Annoushka is using digital channels to maintain high value sales as Coronavirus bites

The brands success to date is no doubt a reflection of the innovative and commercial design team driven by Ducas herself, who also successfully co-founded Links Of London in 1990 with her husband and partner John Ayton.

Spear's Magazine

Walpole reveals the British brands of tomorrow in style

With a super VIP judging panel of experts which included success stories such as John Ayton MBE, (founder of Links and now chairman of Annoushka Jewellery and Bremont Watch Company), the Walpole ‘luxury world programme’ takes up to 12 carefully selected fledgling brands through a year-long programme of workshops and mentoring to help develop their business skills and set them on a path to growth.

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John Ayton’s Background

Orlebar Brown

Investor & Chairman

May 2009 - Present

London, UK

Founded in 2007 Orlebar Brown is a fast growing British style led resort and swim wear brand.

Annoushka

Co-Founder & Chairman

May 2008 - Present

London, UK

Annoushka is the eponymous fine jewellery brand created by designer Annoushka Ducas MBE and the leading fine jewellery brand in Harrods Designer Jewellery, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge and Liberty.

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Other Business Interests

Cass Sculpture Foundation

Chairman

Mar 2015 - Present

Cass Sculpture Foundation is an independent commissioning body dedicated to commissioning new work from emerging and established artists. It was developed as a charitable foundation in 1992 by Wilfred and Jeannette Cass.

GRIND

Investor & Director

Feb 2014 - Present

London, UK

An exciting new retail coffee concept which genuinely differentiates itself from the competition and also transforms into a cocktail bar at night.

Current Non-Executive Positions

The Restory Ltd

Investor & Board Advisor

Oct 2019 - Present

London, UK

The Restory offers repair and restoration services for premium leather goods. The business prides themselves in delivering superior service and convenience.

Dash Water

Seed Investor & Board Advisor

Apr 2018 - Present

Dash Water is a healthier and more sustainable substitute for traditional soft drinks. The modern and innovative brand focuses on infusing British spring water with fresh produce in order to ensure their products contain no sugar, sweeteners or calories.

Artemis Alpha Trust Plc

Non-Executive Director

Jun 2015 - Present

London, UK

Artemis Alpha Trust is an asset management firm based in the United Kingdom that focuses on UK, European and international equities. The business is focused creating long-term capital and income growth by focusing on investments into listed companies.

Wejo Limited

Seed Investor

Nov 2014 - Present

Tattenhall, UK

Wejo Limited offers online automotive data services to customers around the world. The business provides a trading platform for connected car data as well as analytics.

Mr. Hare

Seed Investor & Chairman

Jul 2012 - Nov 2015

London, UK

Mr Hare was a high-end British shoe brand founded by Marc Hare in 2008. It provided luxury leather shoes to male customers all around the world through online sales and two retail stores in London.

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Media

An Evening With John Ayton MBE, Links of London & Annoushka

Interviewee

Aug 2016

London, UK

An evening with John Ayton MBE at The Clubhouse in London, where he discusses entrepreneurship and reflects on the beginning of his career. John also talks about the sale of his company, Links of London, to major Greek accessory manufacturer, Folli Follie and his subsequent venture as Co-Founder of Annoushka.

John Ayton’s Education

University of Oxford

Modern History

1980 - 1983

Oundle School

1974 - 1979