Hunter
Authentic Brands Group · United Kingdom
Hunter is a British footwear brand best known for its rubber Wellington boots, with roots in the North British Rubber Company founded in Scotland in 1856. Since June 2023 its intellectual property has been owned by Authentic Brands Group, which runs the brand through regional licensing partners. It is one of the most recognised names in rainwear footwear worldwide.
| Founded | 1856, as the North British Rubber Company |
|---|---|
| Founder | Henry Lee Norris |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group (since 2023) |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh, United Kingdom |
| Segment | Footwear |
| Best known product | Original Wellington boot |
| Website | hunterboots.com |
What is Hunter?
Hunter is a footwear and accessories brand built around the rubber Wellington boot. Its best known product is the Original tall boot, sold in green and a wide range of seasonal colours, alongside short boots, Chelsea boots, insulated snow boots, clogs, socks, bags and children's styles. The brand presents itself as a British heritage label and has worked with partners such as LoveShackFancy and, more recently, Kate Moss as a global brand ambassador.
History
The business traces its origins to 1856, when the American entrepreneur Henry Lee Norris and his partner Spencer Thomas Parmelee set up the North British Rubber Company in Edinburgh to produce rubber overshoes and boots under a Charles Goodyear patent. Over the following century the company also made tyres, conveyor belts and other rubber goods, and passed through owners including Uniroyal, Gates Rubber and Tomkins. A management buyout in 2004 and a rescue in 2006 refocused it on boots, and Searchlight Capital Partners became the controlling shareholder in 2012.
In June 2023 Hunter entered administration. Authentic Brands Group acquired the brand's intellectual property in the same month, as reported by FashionUnited and License Global.
Products and positioning
Hunter sits in the premium segment of casual footwear. Its range covers:
- Tall and short rain boots, including the Original line
- Insulated, snow and riding boots
- Mules, clogs, sandals and sneakers
- Children's rain boots, socks and accessories
Business model and distribution
Under Authentic's licensing model the brand is operated by partners rather than by a single manufacturer. According to the 2023 announcements, the Batra Group became the core licensee for the United Kingdom and continental Europe, covering design, retail, wholesale and e-commerce, while Marc Fisher Footwear became the core footwear partner in the United States. The brand sells through department stores and specialist retailers as well as its own websites.
Why it matters
Hunter illustrates a pattern common in recent years: a heritage brand that struggles as an operating company is bought for its name and rebuilt as an asset licensed to regional specialists. Its trajectory makes it a useful case for how brand management groups extend recognised labels across categories and markets.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Hunter boots?
Authentic Brands Group acquired the intellectual property of Hunter in June 2023, after the operating company entered administration. The brand is run through licensing partners, including the Batra Group in the UK and Europe and Marc Fisher Footwear in the United States.
Where is Hunter from?
Hunter is a British brand whose origins lie in the North British Rubber Company, founded in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1856. It still presents itself as a British heritage label.