John Ayton

London, UK

Investor & Chairman

Orlebar Brown

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

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.

Private Equity Wire

Piper exits Orlebar Brown investment to Chanel

John Ayton MBE, an early investor in Orlebar Brown and Chairman of the company, says: “It has been an honour working closely with Adam and the team at Orlebar Brown on their entrepreneurial journey. Congratulations to them and to Piper, our fabulous investor, on a great outcome.”

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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.

John Ayton’s Education

University of Oxford

Modern History

1980 - 1983

Oundle School

1974 - 1979