Hugh Jackman scores big as iconic brand comes home to Australia
<p>Hugh Jackman is set to pocket a whopping $10 million after mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has purchased the iconic Australian bootmaker RM Williams.</p>
<p>Dr Forrest's investment fund Tattarang has bought 100 per cent of the company, and it includes Jackman’s five per cent ownership as a minority shareholders.</p>
<p>It is reported that the sale price was less than half the original asking price for $190 million.</p>
<p>RM Williams had been up for sale for almost 18 months after its Louis Vuitton owned parent company, L Catteron, began seeking buyers.</p>
<p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838322/rm-williams.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/70076b780deb4555a34dc86144ebddc4" /></p>
<p><em>Andrew Tiggy Forrest and wife Nicola Forrest.</em></p>
<p>The Western Australian-based mining magnate said he is proud and humbled to be taking the iconic brand back in Australian hands. </p>
<p>“R.M. Williams is a quintessential Aussie brand with a long and proud history of high-quality Australian craftsmanship,” Dr Forrest said in a statement.</p>
<p>“By bringing R.M. Williams back into Australian hands, we will ensure the Australian craftmanship continues to be loved and worn all around the world.</p>
<p>“I've never forgotten the first time I pulled on a pair of RMs. To wear RMs is to wear the boots of the countless hard-working Australians that have come before us.”</p>
<p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838320/hugh-jackman-rm-williams.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a9d5e496eaf4498b9b1d4e016134513" /></p>
<p>His wife Nicola Forrest added “Andrew and I want to continue the legacy of this great company, and that means continuing to employ and support the Australians that have built and grown the brand.”</p>
<p>RM Williams chief executive Raju Vuppalapati said he hoped the business would grow under Dr Forrest's ownership.</p>
<p>“The RM Williams team and I look forward to Andrew and Nicola's stewardship as we enter the next exciting phase of surprising and delighting our consumers with hand-crafted products made in Australia,” he said. </p>
<p>RM Williams was founded in Adelaide in 1932 by bushman and entrepreneur Reginald Murray 'RM' Williams.</p>
<p>The iconic boots are a popular item both locally and overseas, and the brand has stores in New York, London, New Zealand, and Scandinavia.</p>
<p>Jackman will remain involved with RM Williams as an ambassador.</p>
