Relax... profits are up

RUNNING a luxury beauty products range such as Molton Brown has its advantages. Joint managing director Charles Denton could afford to relax as he prepared to announce record profits tomorrow.

The results will add fuel to rumours that the business could soon receive a takeover approach.

The company is expected to unveil turnover up more than 20% to £35m in the year ended March 2004 and profits before interest and other charges up 25% to £8.5m.

It is also likely to reveal that current trading is keeping pace with last year, following a successful Christmas.

Molton Brown was founded in 1973 as a hair studio, but under Denton and his team it has become one of the most successful investments for Bridgepoint Capital, the private equity group that bought a 60% stake in 2003.