Barclays Ventures has backed the £21 million management buy-out of Christy Group, a designer and distributor of children’s costumes, from a private shareholder group. The vendor has kept a minority stake in the company.

Barclays Ventures has backed the £21 million management buy-out of Christy Group, a designer and distributor of children’s costumes, from a private shareholder group. The vendor has kept a minority stake in the company.

Christy’s management team was led by chief executive Jules Hydleman and included managing director Gary Panons, sales director Tony Lewis and financial director Andy Pybus.

Yorkshire-based Christy also owns the pan-European licence for Disney costumes. It has a 60 per cent share of the £30 million UK market for children’s costumes, supplying retailers like Asda, Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Woolworths. It employs 200 people and operates in more than 40 countries.

Hammonds acted for Barclays, while Christy was advised by Laytons and Rickitt Mitchell. Lee & Priestley advised the management team.

The Royal Bank of Scotland supplied senior debt and working capital.