Celtic & Co

The British Ugg brand that redefined itself to grow into a trailblazer in natural fibre clothing.

Invested in 2010, Exited in 2014

Founded in Newquay, Cornwall, in 1990, Celtic & Co is a direct-to-consumer clothing brand with a range of uniquely designed, natural and handcrafted clothes.

Husband and wife founders, Nick and Kath Whitworth, began their journey creating and selling sheepskin boots, originally known as the British Uggs. As the global popularity of the Ugg brand soared, they made the strategic decision to sell the UK trademark and rebrand as Celtic Sheepskin, designing and manufacturing their own unique sheepskin boots.

Over time, Celtic expanded into a thoughtfully curated range of outerwear and clothing, all made from natural fibres to complement its heritage in sheepskin craftsmanship. The brand has built a loyal following, primarily among women who value timeless, high-quality pieces that quickly become wardrobe favourites.

Having successfully developed a small range of clothing to complement their range of sheepskin boots, the Whitworths recognized that to achieve the next stage of growth, they needed a partner who shared their vision. After meeting and developing a relationship with us, Piper took a significant minority stake in 2010.

They chose us to partner with them to help develop the Celtic brand. We supported the evolution of Celtic Sheepskin into Celtic & Co, marking a shift from being known solely for sheepskin products to a broader range of handcrafted, heritage-inspired designs. Together, we expanded their clothing line, introduced a senior management team to complement the founders’ expertise, and helped grow the brand’s reach across the UK and international markets.