In the world of luxury, brands such as Hermes, Lanvin, and Louis Vuitton are frequently cited as the world’s oldest; however, some British companies vastly pre-date them. Over the centuries, Britain has produced some of the best-known names in luxury; however, many are now owned by non-British entities. In this feature, I look to determine the oldest British luxury brands I can be confident are still British-owned.

A luxury brand established in the UK that bases its operations in the UK has a right to consider itself a British luxury brand. However, there is a grey area: When a brand is no longer British-owned, can it still consider itself genuinely British?

To help explain my thinking, let me offer an example. When I look at the luxury automotive sector, two brands sit apart at the top of the luxury motoring tree: Bentley Motors and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

These two brands were established in Britain; however, both are now under German ownership. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd, headquartered in Goodwood, Chichester West Sussex, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW AG, and Bentley Motors Limited, headquartered in Crewe, Cheshire, is now owned by the Volkswagen Group.

Frequently, luxury brands play around with semantics to enhance their brands and make them more appealing to consumers by extolling virtues such as heritage and legacy and tugging patriotic heartstrings. I am confident that if either of the two British luxury motoring marques above were still under British ownership, they would use this to their advantage, stating at every opportunity that they were ‘genuinely British’ and highlighting that their rival was now German.

The goal of this opinion piece is not to denigrate any brands but to establish which of the oldest British luxury brands is still British-owned. To produce my list, I’ve focused on companies/brands that specialise in offering luxury goods or services, which were founded in Britain and are currently owned by British individuals, families, or entities, excluding those wholly or majority owned by foreign corporations and individuals or conglomerates.

1. Lock & Co. Hatters (Founded 1676)
Royal Warrant holder Lock & Co. Hatters was established by Robert Davis in 1676 on London’s St. James’s Street.

In 1765, James Lock, the first member of the Lock family, who had married Mary Davis, the sister of Robert’s son Charles, was given the keys to the company, which sowed the seed for the astonishing Lock family legacy.

Incredibly, Lock & Co is still owned by descendants of James and operates as an independent business focusing on high-end hats and accessories. Its heritage, craftsmanship, and association with royalty and high society cement its status as an authentic British luxury brand.

2. Floris (Founded 1730)

Founded by Juan Famenias Floris and his wife Elizabeth at 89 Jermyn Street, London, Floris began as a perfumery and toiletry maker. It has supplied scents to iconic figures, including King George IV and Florence Nightingale, and still conducts its business from its original location.

Today, the business is still run by the Floris family, with Edward Bodenham, a ninth-generation descendant, overseeing operations. Although there have undoubtedly been many enticing offers, Floris has thus far resisted being acquired by larger conglomerates.

Like Lock & Co, Floris is a Royal Warrant holder. The company is best known for its exquisite fragrances and range of exclusive products.

3. Fortnum & Mason (Founded 1707)

Established by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason in London, this department store originally began its life as a purveyor of fine teas and gourmet foods. It has since expanded to include luxury homeware, fragrances, and more, famously catering to British royalty and even members of the 1922 Everest expedition.

Since the 1950s, Fortnum & Mason has been controlled by the Weston family through Wittington Investments, a British holding company. Although the brand has opened international outposts, its core identity and ownership remain British.

Today, Fortnum & Mason is one of the best-known names in luxury retail, and its Royal Warrants from Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III cement its position as a luxury icon.

4. Ede & Ravenscroft (Founded 1689)
Ede & Ravenscroft was established in 1689 in London and is believed to be the oldest tailor in the world. It has provided ceremonial robes for twelve British coronations, including King William and Queen Mary, and serves the judiciary, academia, and royalty.

Today, it is a privately held, family-run British company with no indication of foreign ownership.

Its bespoke tailoring, royal connections, and Royal Warrants from Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and Prince Charles underscore its luxury status.

5. Berry Bros. & Rudd (Founded 1698)

Berry Bros. & Rudd is a company we’ve featured frequently in Luxurious Magazine. It is Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant. It was founded in 1698 by the Widow Bourne (later managed by the Berry family) at 3 St. James’s Street, London. For centuries, it has been a preferred supplier to the British royal family and holds two Royal Warrants.

The Berry and Rudd families still own and operate the company, maintaining its independence as a British luxury retailer.

Some of the Iconic Brands That Didn’t Make the List
The most crucial factor when compiling this feature was focusing on businesses I was confident were still “genuinely British-owned.” I deliberately excluded those that foreign conglomerates/entities have acquired. Examples include Burberry, which is now partly owned by LVMH via public shares, and Wedgwood, which falls under the umbrella of the Finnish Fiskars Corporation.

I wanted to include Johnstons of Elgin (1797) on the list but didn’t, as this luxury textile brand’s ownership details were difficult to establish. Although Johnstons of Elgin is a private company that is possibly still family-owned, I couldn’t confirm that it was under sole British ownership.

The five brands that made the list—Lock & Co. Hatters, Floris, Fortnum & Mason, Ede & Ravenscroft, and Berry Bros. & Rudd—stand out as the oldest British luxury brands still genuinely British-owned.