UK investment firm buys up John Masters Organics

It’s all about organic beauty these days, and UK investment firm Permira is buying into the trend, having acquired a majority stake in John Masters Organics (JMO).

The investment is valued at approximately $336m and gives Permira a controlling stake in the New York City-based business, together with subsidiary Styla Inc, and secures the company’s established distribution in Japan and East Asia.

The aim of the investment is to continue in the global expansion of the JMO brand with the help of additional funds provided by the new investor, which currently partners with premium brands such as Hugo Boss, Valentino and Dr. Martens.

Distribution deal secured Japan market

It has also been confirmed that John Masters, the founder of John Masters Organics, together with Yoshimune Noda and Maiko Noda, the founders of Style, will continue to be involved in the running of the combined businesses.

Permira is a global private equity firm and the investment in the business has been made by the Permira funds which will see the company secure the controlling stake in the distribution for the JMO through Styla's distribution network throughout East Asia.

The JMO brand was established in 1991 by John Masters, who is a well known celebrity stylist, based in New York.

JMO is a global brand

He built the brand into a luxury organic beauty label which is ‘committed to urban wellness’, and is also said to be respectful to both customers and the planet.

The brand is now distributed in more than 40 countries, and is one of the leaders in the fast-growing organic beauty category – a category that is currently recording some of the fastest industry growth rates worldwide, which gave the brand a good footprint in this important market.

“I am delighted at this new partnership and thrilled by the prospect that working with Permira can help bring my vision of super natural beauty and organic, urban wellness to more people around the world who deserve to look and feel their best, knowing that the products they are using are composed of the best, most organic ingredients,” said Masters.