Upholstery chain Arlo & Jacob has become independent again.
The retailer has become independent again after less than a year under TCM Living’s ownership.
Mark, former TCM Living chief executive, and Julie Smith bought Arlo & Jacob Arlo & Jacob from administration in May 2020, before it became part of TCM Living in June 2021.
TCM Corporation owns Alstons Upholstery, Ashley Manor Upholstery, AMX Design and Alexander & James.
‘After an initial period of successful incumbency within group, both Mark and Pimol Srivikorn, TCML chairman felt that the interests and growth ambitions of both entities were very much best served apart – with TCML’s focus being on volume driven business and global expansion, the antithesis to Arlo’s very British and fashionably slower, choice centric and individualistic model,’ says the retailer.
‘Mark very much wanted the talent he had nurtured and believed had helped him stand apart from his competitors, close. Partnering with him therefore to head up this next exciting chapter are his artist and stylist wife Julie; Michelle White, marketing, brand & creative director; Simon Wilson, finance director; Anthony Scarborough, e-commerce director; Donna Pitchford, executive project manager with Lisa Broad continuing as md.’
‘I’ve always worked best in a partnership and I have hand picked my team of experts. I’m drawing on close relationships with people I admire and am inspired by and to top it all are thoroughly nice people to boot,’ says Smith.
‘My ambitions now lie in placing creativity at the heart of business, designing products with personality for people who aspire to stylish interiors and I’m enthused by the fact this is a passion, everyone – at every level and facet of Arlo’s business shares.’
‘It is important to us that we create furniture and fabric collections that we are proud to have in our home, we are the Arlo customer and we feel at home with the brand’s DNA, says Julie Smith.
