Ascension

website:

http://www.ascensiononline.com

Company details

What does it do?

Ascension (formely Adili) is an online retailer of ethical clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

How is it social?

Ascension stocks only 'ethical' fashion, aiming to 'uphold the dignity of those along the supply chain'. All of its products are therefore one or more of the following:

fair trade
organic
made from alternative fibres and/or recycled materials
locally sourced and made using traditional skills

What is its business model?

Ascension sells a range of ethical clothing brands to a target market of relatively affluent 26-45 year olds. Each brand sold is evaluated against a set framework and suppliers must demonstrate how they ensure that their production is ethical. However, brands do not have to have any external certification.

The company is now looking to develop its own range of clothing.

Its history

Ascension was founded in 2006 as 'Adili' by Quentin Griffiths (founder of Asos.com), Chris Powles (founder of Pi Capital) and Adam Smith (previously the e-commerce development director at Dixons), who saw an opening in the market for an online ethical fashion retailer. Together they researched the market, created the business plan and brought together specialists including ethical consultant, Clare Lissaman and fashion expert Sim Scavazza (former head of buying & brand director of Miss Selfridge). Adili.com was launched in October 2006, and now re-branded as Ascension, currently offers around 650 items for sale from 50 different brands.

The company floated on AIM in December 2007, raising £1.2m (net) to grow the business and develop its own label.

More information

Current shareholders:	Hawk Investment Holdings Limited (27.36%), Quentin Griffiths (16.36%), Christopher Powles (5.06%), William Cooper (4.49%), Powe Capital Management LLP (4.48%), Singer & Friedlander Investment Management Limited (3.98%), Mark Houghton Brown (3.57%), Adam Smith (3.43%), HSBC Trustees (C.I.) Limited (3.36%), Antony Portno (3.18%).
Chair:	Alan Howarth (Non-Executive)
Year of incorporation:	2006

Company snapshot

Company type:	PLC
Address:	Blandford Hill, Milborne St Andrew, Blandford Forum, Dorset, GB, DT11 0HZ
Telephone:	+ 44(0)1258 837 437
Blog:
CEO:	Adam Smith
Industrial sector:	Clothing retail
Social / Environmental benefit:	Pollution reduction; Developing countries; Employee rights and welfare;
Certifications:	Fairtrade (UK); Soil Association; Fair Trade Organisation (IFAT);
Social business sector:	Ethical Consumerism;

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