Luxury Italian golf fashion brand acquired in major industry deal

Luxury Italian golf fashion brand Duca del Cosma has been acquired by Howsam Capital following the sale of the business by chairman Frank van Wezel.

The acquisition, effective immediately, gives Howsam Capital full ownership of the brand’s global assets across all international markets.

Van Wezel, who has led the development of Duca del Cosma since 2016, will remain involved with the company as a minority shareholder and brand ambassador.

“I’m incredibly proud to have led the Duca del Cosma brand to where it is today and have full confidence that Ryan and his team will drive the brand to even greater heights,” said Frank. 

“With their extensive investment portfolio and strong network within the global golf industry, we truly believe the group is ideally positioned to further accelerate the worldwide growth of the brand and we could not have wished for a better successor.”

The acquisition marks another major move into golf for entrepreneur Ryan Howsam, founder and chairman of Staysure Insurance and majority shareholder and chairman of the Staysure Legends Tour.

The Legends Tour currently features a number of Ryder Cup legends and major champions including Ian Woosnam, José María Olazábal, Colin Montgomerie, Paul Lawrie, Michael Campbell and Paul McGinley.

Howsam said: “This is a significant acquisition for Howsam Capital. Golf is evolving into a far broader lifestyle and participation market, and we see a significant opportunity to build an integrated ecosystem that places the customer at the centre of every touchpoint — from media and tournament experiences through to retail, travel, resorts, apparel and equipment.

“Duca del Cosma represents exactly the kind of premium brand we want within that ecosystem: authentic, differentiated and globally relevant. Our vision is to create a platform that better connects the modern golfer with the brands, experiences and communities they value most, and we believe this acquisition is another important step in that direction.”

Charles Blake-Thomas said the acquisition creates significant opportunities for expansion across both existing and emerging international markets.

“Duca del Cosma is a brand with genuine heritage, clear market positioning and a strong reputation for style and refinement within golf,” he added. “What makes this acquisition particularly compelling is the structural fit within our wider ecosystem, where we can combine premium product, owned distribution channels and global golf audiences in a way that very few groups can replicate.

“The structural efficiencies created through those channels, alongside assets such as the Staysure Legends Tour, give us a unique ability to take the brand to market more effectively and accelerate growth whilst remaining true to the qualities that have made Duca del Cosma successful to date. It is a natural fit for our long-term strategy.”

Retail partners seeking further information regarding the acquisition have been invited to contact Evelien Lauwers at Duca del Cosma.