Weir and Sons Announces Acquisition of RL Austen

26 Nov 2025

Dublin-based Weir & Sons, led by the Andrews family, has acquired renowned Chichester jeweller RL Austen from owner Mandy Seargent. RL Austen will continue to trade under its well-established name, reflecting the strength of its heritage, deep local roots, and trusted reputation within the region.

All current team members at RL Austen will remain in place, with Store Manager James Taylor continuing to lead day-to-day operations to ensure continuity for colleagues, customers, and the local community. This provides Weir & Sons with a strong foundation, enabling them to work closely with an experienced team who know the business intimately.

The acquisition marks a thoughtful and strategic move for Weir & Sons as they look toward future development, while staying true to their long-standing focus on craftsmanship, exceptional service, and customer experience. Integrating RL Austen into the wider Weir & Sons portfolio presents an opportunity to build on the store’s established strengths while
supporting its next phase of growth.

Chris Andrews, Managing Director of Weir & Sons, commented,

“We are delighted to welcome RL Austen into the Weir & Sons family. The business has an outstanding heritage and a genuine commitment to its customers. We look forward to supporting James and the entire RL Austen team as we build on these strong foundations together. Our intention is to honour the store’s legacy while bringing new opportunities for its future development.”

For Mandy Seargent, the transition comes at a natural moment after exploring the future direction of the business. The continuation of RL Austen under new ownership that respects its history and values is a positive outcome - one that also highlights the strong connections and collaborative spirit within the Houlden network.

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Source: Weir and Sons