The Dutch design entrepreneur Casper Vissers has made his first significant business move since stepping down from Moooi almost two years ago, becoming an equal shareholder in British brand Minimalux.
Vissers' investment in Minimalux will see him act in an advisory role as the luxury homeware brand embarks on a five-year expansion plan.
He will not be taking an active position in Minimalux, nor will he become a director, according to the company. Rather, it will continue to be managed and directed by Mark Holmes and Tamara Caspersz, who started the company in 2009 and were also founders of Established & Sons.
"Mark and Tamara have formulated a super smart and strategic five-year expansion plan and I will provide advice and support all along the way," said Vissers. "I have complete faith in their team and I am now thrilled to also have a vested interest in their future growth and success."
Vissers announced he would be leaving Moooi in May 2015 to pursue new entrepreneurial opportunities.
He had co-founded the Dutch furniture and lighting brand 14 years earlier together with designer Marcel Wanders, and built the company into one of the industry's biggest names, with an annual turnover of more than €30 million (£26 million).
His investment has been a major source of support for Minimalux, which says it has been expanding its infrastructure and developing new designs since the deal.
"Investment at this stage was always going to be an essential part in the evolution of Minimalux," said Holmes. "We feel incredibly privileged to have secured Casper's endorsement and to be able to tap into the insight and ideas of one of the most respected and successful business minds in the design world."
Selling primarily online, Minimalux focuses on homeware and accessories that are formally minimal but made with premium materials, like pens made with precious metals and a pill container rendered in silver and cork.
Established & Sons, meanwhile, is now in the hands of overseas investors after the passing of co-founder and chair Angad Paul. The company consistently operated at a loss since its founding in 2005, Dezeen reported last year.