Bensoussan, co-founder of private equity firm Sirius Equity, wants to add 30 to 40 stores in the UK and Ireland, where it has 100 outlets including standalone shops and concessions. He also wants to add to the retailer's presence globally, building on its one store in Paris.
He said the focus this year was on the UK. “We're having discussions with landlords about possibilities but we'll grow with standalones and concessions.”
But from next year the chain will embark on overseas expansion, with the Middle East and Eastern Europe mooted for franchises. “We're looking at a couple of partnerships but I don't think we'll decide to do anything before the end of the year,” he said.
Other markets under consideration for company-owned stores include the US and continental Europe. Bensoussan confirmed that the US is a viable prospect for LK Bennett but not in the short term.
“When I see the number of US customers we have, it shows that the product is very tailored to the American market,” he said. “But I would say that [launching the brand into] America is a year and a half away.”
Sirius Equity and Phoenix Equity Partners bought LK Bennett for a reported£100m last July. Bensoussan has brought in former Banana Republic vice-president for Europe Margaret McDonald as chief executive, starting this month.
Bensoussan's previous roles include chief executive of Jimmy Choo, where he led the international development of the brand. He held the same role at luxury retailers Christian Lacroix and Gianfranco Ferré.
LK Bennett founder Linda Bennett has retained a stake of around 30 per cent in the business and remains a non-executive director.
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