John Hardy Group (“John Hardy”), a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-end designer jewellery and lifestyle accessories based in Hong Kong.

Founded in 1989 by John Hardy, the eponymous group is now recognised as the second largest designer jewellery brand in its main market, the US. Its products are currently sold in all the major department stores including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. After eighteen years in the business, the founders are seeking to retire and have agreed to sell the firm to company chief executive officer Damien Dernoncourt and creative director Guy Bedarida.

3i’s involvement will enable the John Hardy Group to continue its transition from a family run business to a professionally managed company, leveraging the brand that the founders have built and taking it forward to consolidate its position in the fast growing US designer jewellery market. The firm also plans to introduce new collections and increase its sales in the Middle East, Russia and Japan, where the brand already has a growing presence.