Larkshead Licensing Ltd

What Larkshead Licensing Ltd does

Larkshead Licensing Ltd is a UK-based, full-service brand licensing agency headquartered in London (Suite 2, 5th Floor, 1 Duchess Street, W1W 6AN), with a secondary location listed in Chichester, West Sussex. Founded in 2017 and operating as a private limited company, the firm represents approximately 15 licensors across children's entertainment and publishing (Tom Gates, Numberblocks, Q Pootle 5, Tiny Wonders, Monster Makes, Bod, Sweet Cherry Publishing including Mula & Friends, Maggie Sparks, and Every Cherry), artist and lifestyle brands (Sophie Jonas-Hill, Nicole Elders, Scatterbrain Studios, Claire Louise), and consumer brands (The Kennet Crayfish Company, Jelly Armchair, May The Thoughts Be With You). The agency generates revenue through licensing royalties and agency/commission arrangements, monetising each brand by brokering deals with manufacturers, licensees, and retailers across categories including toys, publishing, gift, apparel, homewares, live events, and attractions.

The agency's core offering is bespoke licensing strategy and execution: brand planning, financial modelling, style guide creation, creative approvals management, licensee matchmaking, and retail placement via an established network of international and local retail contacts (Amazon, Asda, independent retailers, bookshops, specialty stores). It is not a technology company; the platform is human expertise and relationships rather than software. The 7-person team is led by Managing Director Clare Piggott (35+ years' experience, ex-Mattel, Nickelodeon, BBC Worldwide, CPLG), supported by Senior Product Development & Creative Manager Sultan Hassan (ex-Hit Entertainment) and Senior Licensing Manager Mel Humberstone-Garly (ex-National Gallery, ITV Studios, Chorion), collectively providing 75+ years of combined licensing, media, finance, retail, and public-sector experience.

Commercially, the firm operates a hybrid B2B go-to-market combining enterprise field sales (direct licensor and licensee relationships, presence at Brand Licensing Europe and Toy Fair) with channel partner development across manufacturing contacts and retailers on local, regional, and global bases. The portfolio has expanded materially since 2023, with 2025 reporting describing it as the "most diverse to date." Customer segments are bifurcated between IP owners seeking expansion (primary) and licensees/manufacturers seeking established IP (secondary). No public revenue, funding history, or institutional investors are disclosed; the firm appears to be founder/management-owned.

Name

Larkshead Licensing Ltd

Legal name

Larkshead Licensing Ltd

Website

https://larksheadlicensing.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Larkshead Licensing is a UK-based boutique brand licensing agency representing approximately 15 IP owners across children's entertainment, publishing, artists, and consumer brands, monetising each through royalty-based deals with manufacturers, licensees, and retailers via direct relationships and trade shows.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Brand Licensing Services

NAICS

Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533), Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533110)

SIC

Patent Owners & Lessors (6794), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchandising, Character & Brand Licensing (MPADALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Content Licensing (Film/TV, Clips, Stills) (MPADALAA), Contracting, Licensing & Rights Management (Music/Performance Releases) (HSACAHAM)

Keywords

• Brand licensing services
• Licensing consultancy
• Intellectual property licensing
• Brand management agency
• Licensing strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Licensing Agency Services: Full-service agency model providing licensing strategy, brand management, creative approvals, and retail partnerships for intellectual property owners. Generates revenue through agency fees and commission arrangements with licensors.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Larkshead Licensing Ltd is a full-service brand licensing agency that represents intellectual property owners across diverse categories including children's entertainment, publishing, art, giftware, and craft spirits. The agency develops bespoke licensing strategies, negotiates deals with manufacturers and licensees, manages creative approvals, and facilitates retail partnerships across local, regional, and global markets. Revenue is generated through agency fees and commission arrangements on licensing deals brokered between the represented brands and their manufacturing/retail partners.

Product overview

Larkshead Licensing Ltd operates as a full-service brand licensing agency with extensive industry contacts and broad category experience. Their offering is a portfolio-based approach encompassing diverse brands across children's entertainment, publishing, food & beverage, giftware, and lifestyle categories. The core service is strategic licensing consultancy—creating bespoke licensing strategies for brand longevity, managing licensing deals, approvals, and retail partnerships. The portfolio includes established children's IP (Tom Gates, Numberblocks, Q Pootle 5, Tiny Wonders, Monster Makes, BOD), publishing brands (Sweet Cherry Publishing, Mula & Friends, Maggie Sparks, Every Cherry), artist brands (Sophie Jonas-Hill, Nicole Elders, Scatterbrain Studios, Claire Louise), and specialty brands (Kennet Crayfish Company, Jelly Armchair). The agency differentiates through personalized brand strategies supporting each licensor's specific growth objectives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Brand Licensing Agency Services Full-service brand licensing representation for IP owners covering strategy development, manufacturer/licensee matchmaking, creative approval management, and retail partnership brokering across categories including toys, publishing, apparel, giftware, greetings cards, homewares, and live events.
• Licensing Consultancy Services Targeted consulting engagements that include financial modelling, brand strategy planning, and marketing advice for brands evaluating licensing opportunities or seeking to optimise existing licensing programmes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Numberblocks MathLink Cubes became fastest-selling new toy on Amazon at launch
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Terrific Television LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Partnership to reimagine Bod for a new generation of fans. Exploring fresh opportunities through new content, innovative licensing and brand partnerships. Terrific Television is leading revival of the classic 1975 animated series with new 2D animation.
• Jelly Armchair LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 April 2026Expanded brand's distinctive wit and humour into licensed products. Partners include Woodmansterne (greeting cards), Carousel Calendars (UK/US calendars launching 2027), University Games (card games and jigsaw puzzles), Bothy Threads (cross-stitch kits).
• Freak ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 October 2025New signing to portfolio. Freak Productions created Tiny Wonders preschool series for CBeebies in collaboration with CBeebies, with executive production by Hamish Allison and Julia Bond.
• TG EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Appointed as UK licensing agent for Tom Gates book and TV brand ahead of nationwide live stage show launch in April 2025. Tom Gates created by Liz Pichon with 16.5+ million books sold.
• The Kennet Crayfish CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2024Appointed as licensing agent to extend brand into complementary categories and work with strategic licensing partners. Brand features UK chalk stream crayfish and has won multiple spirit awards.
• Sweet Cherry PublishingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 October 2023Worldwide portfolio partnership developing licensing ranges across Sweet Cherry publishing portfolio including Mula & Friends, Maggie Sparks, and Every Cherry SEND imprint.
• ScholasticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublisher of Tom Gates books in the UK - over 16.5 million copies sold worldwide, translated into 47+ languages.
• Learning ResourcesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNumberblocks licensing partner for MathLink Cubes - became fastest-selling new toy on Amazon at launch.
• ION8minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew deal for Tom Gates drinkware and lunch bags launching Q4 2025.
• SmiffysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTom Gates dress-up for World Book Day 2026.
• IntercakeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrint-on-demand cake specialist with renewed license for personalised Tom Gates cake toppers available via Asda kiosks and online.
• Books2DoorminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline retailer launching Sweet Cherry merchandise - Mula and Friends and Maggie Sparks consumer products.
• Brand AllianceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorApparel deal for Sweet Cherry launching on Amazon.
• InCrystal GmbH / LuverreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSophie Jonas-Hill premium lighting products across Europe - tabletop to floor standing pieces.
• RavensburgerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide puzzle deal with Sophie Jonas-Hill including 1000-piece puzzle featuring Alice and Wonderland inspired Fashionably Late artwork launching Spring 2026.
• Time Bomb Comics / Anderson EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpectrum anthology comic featuring Gerry Anderson titles - New Captain Scarlet, Space Precinct, Terrahawks.
• Scatterbrain StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign-led lifestyle brand - Global licensing agency appointment. Creator Julia Broughton's characters primarily for younger market.
• Nicole ElderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalligrapher and greeting card artist added to portfolio - Henries Finalist 2022 & 2023, Gift of the Year 2025 winner.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Beanstalk (part of Ravensburger Group): Global brand licensing agency owned by Ravensburger, representing entertainment, corporate and lifestyle brands. Direct competitor in children's publishing/animation licensing space with similar boutique-to-mid-tier positioning but stronger parent-company backing and puzzle/games category depth.
• Mattel Consumer Products: Global toy and IP licensing powerhouse where MD Clare Piggott previously held senior roles. Competitor in children's entertainment licensing but as in-house rights holder rather than independent agency — relevant for understanding the talent pipeline that feeds Larkshead.
• WildBrain CPLG: Global brand licensing agency (formerly CPLG) representing major entertainment, sport and character IP across multiple territories. Acquired by WildBrain; the most direct large-scale competitor to Larkshead, with overlapping children's IP representation (Tom Gates-style publishing brands, preschool properties) but vastly broader international infrastructure.
• Zodiak Kids (Banijay): International kids' content distribution and consumer products division of Banijay, covering children's TV IP including preschool brands (similar to Q Pootle 5, Tiny Wonders, Monster Makes in Larkshead's roster). Functions partly as licensor, partly as licensing agent in children's IP space.

Direct peers

• Brand Licensing Team (BLT): UK independent licensing agency representing entertainment and brand IP. Comparable boutique-sized UK competitor with overlapping children's publishing, animation and lifestyle brand representation.
• Pink Key Licensing: UK-based independent licensing agency representing character and entertainment brands. Same boutique segment as Larkshead, also active at Brand Licensing Europe and UK Toy Fair, with comparable target IP licensors in children's publishing and TV.
• Bulldog Licensing: UK-based independent brand licensing agency representing entertainment, sport and lifestyle brands. Closest direct peer in scale and business model — also a privately held boutique with a UK headquarters representing children's publishing and entertainment IP similar to Larkshead's portfolio.
• Character World: UK-based licensing and home textile specialist representing children's brands (including Numberblocks-adjacent IP). Larkshead MD Clare Piggott appeared alongside Character World's Tim Kilby at industry panels, indicating direct overlap in the UK children's licensing market.
• Fluid World: UK-based independent brand licensing consultancy and agency. Similar boutique model with comparable client base across publishing, entertainment and lifestyle brands, and similar exposure to UK-led deals.

Others

• Ravensburger (licensing division): Global games and puzzles company that owns Beanstalk agency and is also a direct licensee for Larkshead's portfolio (worldwide puzzle deal with Sophie Jonas-Hill). Functions as a customer/partner but also a competitor's parent — important ecosystem participant.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/larksheadlicensing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/larkshead-licensing-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Larkshead Licensing Ltd