SCOTLAND: Changes Afoot For Dawson International?

Moves could soon be afoot at Scottish-based cashmere company, Dawson International. The Guinness Peat Group, which has a 21 per cent stake in the company, is currently carrying out a due diligence process on Dawson International. A consortium of Italian investors led by Carlo Gancia, with a 27 per cent stake in Dawson, has put forward plans to promote its flagship Ballantyne brand on a wider international level. Meanwhile, Italian-based fashion house, Prada, has also not ruled out a future move on Dawson International. Prada has a track record of buying top luxury brands. It bought Church's shoes in September last year and reached an agreement in September to buy a major stake in the fashion house of Tunisian-born fashion designer, Azzedine Alaia. Dawson International's Ballantyne and Barrie cashmere brands are worn by celebrities all over the world.