Smythson, leather goods and luxury stationery company that employs Samantha Cameron, is based in a tax haven
The Prime Minister's wife works as a consultant for the brand
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Smythson, the leather goods and luxury stationery firm that employs Samantha Cameron as a consultant, is based in a tax haven.
The retailer, whose flagship store is situated on London’s Bond Street, is ultimately owned through a parent company in Luxembourg and connected to a trust in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, the Daily Mail reported.
Founded in 1887, Smythson is popular among the likes of Rachel Weisz, Jessica Alba and Cat Deeley and holds a Royal Warrant from the Queen, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh. A new season handbag costs upwards of £400.
The reports and financial statements of Smythson’s holding company Holdsmyth Ltd, which were filed at Companies House and seen by The Independent, confirm the company’s tax arrangements.
The documents state: "The immediate and parent company is Greenwill SA, a company incorporated in Luxembourg. The Company is ultimately controlled by Ogier Trustee (Jersey) Limited as Trustees of The Barracuda Trust, a trust settled in Guernsey."
Both Luxembourg and Guernsey have a global reputation as a tax haven.
The Prime Minister has spoken out against tax avoidance in the past.
In May last year Mr Cameron told The Times he was "opposed to all aggressive tax avoidance".
And in January 2013 he said world leaders must work together to prevent multinational companies such as Starbucks and Amazon legally avoiding large corporation tax bills.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments