Who owns Molton Brown?
Molton Brown is owned by Kao (Japan, TSE: 4452), which has owned the brand since 2005.[1] Molton Brown was founded in 1971 in London and was independent until 2005.
This ownership is reported in official statements but has not yet been matched to a regulatory filing.
Key facts
- Current owner
- Kao Corporation reported
- Owned since
- Previous owner
- Independent (1971–2005)
- Owner HQ
- 🇯🇵 Japan, Tokyo
- Origin
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, London
- Founded
- 1971
- Category
- Personal care & beauty › Bath, soap & hand care › Bar soap & body wash
- Parent ticker
- TSE: 4452
- Last verified
- · 1 sources
About Molton Brown
Molton Brown began as a London hair salon in 1971 and became a luxury bath and body brand whose hand washes are a fixture of British hotels and restaurants. Kao acquired it in 2005. Its distinctive tall pump bottles in hotel washrooms function as advertising to a customer who has already used the product.
Ownership timeline of Molton Brown
Where Molton Brown sits in Kao
Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.
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Other brands owned by Kao in personal care & beauty
Latest news about Molton Brown
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Molton Brown?
The parent company of Molton Brown is Kao, a publicly listed company headquartered in Japan.
Is Molton Brown British or Japanese?
Molton Brown originated in the United Kingdom in 1971, but it is owned today by Kao, which is headquartered in Japan. So Molton Brown is a British-origin brand under Japanese ownership.
Since when has Kao owned Molton Brown?
Kao has owned Molton Brown since 2005.
Who owned Molton Brown before Kao?
Molton Brown was an independent company from its founding in 1971 in London until Kao acquired it in 2005.
Is Molton Brown still owned by Kao?
Yes. As of 6 September 2026, Molton Brown is still owned by Kao. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (1) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.
- [1] Kao Corporation Integrated Report 2025 — Kao Corporation, Annual report, published 31 March 2026; retrieved 6 September 2026.
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