Hong Kong's Global Brands Group chooses White City for European HQ

A Hong Kong-based licensing firm, which distributes Barbie, Calvin Klein and Karen Millen goods, is set to open a new European head office in White City.

Global Brands Group, which develops, markets and sells products as a licensee, and its sister logistics company Li & Fung, are taking 50,500 square feet at the WestWorks building at White City Place.

The pair are relocating from their Marylebone Road base before the end of the year.

Commitment to a new lease is a coup for the London market, where some businesses have been nervous about signing leases until a Brexit deal is agreed.

White City Place is a redevelopment of the former BBC Media Village undertaken by property firm Stanhope and investors Mitsui Fudosan and AIMCo.

The pair join tenants including online retailer Yoox Net-A-Porter and designer label Ralph & Russo at the WestWorks property.

Stanhope boss David Camp said its new tenant will “be a great addition to the fantastic mix of tech, creative and fashion companies” on the campus.

Property agents Cushman & Wakefield, Knight Frank and Savills advised on the letting.