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Lender DetailsN Brown Group Limited
Retail Finance

N Brown Group Limited

Also known as: JD Williams; Simply Be; Jacamo; Ambrose Wilson; Fashion World; Marisota; Oxendales; Home Essentials

N Brown Group Limited is a UK online retailer and financial services provider. It operates several well-known catalogue and online shopping brands including JD Williams, Simply Be, Jacamo, and Ambrose Wilson. These brands offer clothing, footwear, home products, and gifts to customers, many of whom pay using a store account with a credit facility.

The credit facility attached to N Brown's retail brands allows customers to buy now and pay in instalments. This is retail finance provided by N Brown as part of the shopping experience. Interest charges apply if balances are not paid off each month. The credit products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

N Brown has historically focused on serving customers who may not always be well served by mainstream retailers, including plus-size clothing customers and older adults. Its brands are popular with customers who prefer the catalogue shopping model.

If you have an N Brown account with an outstanding balance and need to contact them, details are available on the website of the relevant brand (e.g. jdwilliams.co.uk) or through the N Brown customer service team. N Brown Group Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

If you are struggling with repayments on an N Brown credit account, contact their customer service team. Free debt advice is available from StepChange on 0800 138 1111, National Debtline on 0808 808 4000, or Citizens Advice.

Quick summary

Company typeRetail Finance
Trading namesJD Williams; Simply Be; Jacamo; Ambrose Wilson; Fashion World; Marisota; Oxendales; Home Essentials
FCA Firm Ref (FRN)311618 (J D Williams & Company Limited — the FCA-regulated subsidiary)
FCA statusAuthorised (J D Williams & Company Limited, FRN 311618, for consumer credit and general insurance activities)
Companies House no.00814103 (N Brown Group Limited, formerly N Brown Group PLC until March 2025)
Company statusActive (Private Limited Company — converted from PLC March 2025, incorporated 29 July 1964, SIC 70100 head office activities)
Parent companyN Brown Group Limited is the holding company. Privatised and delisted from London Stock Exchange in 2023 following a management buyout backed by Josh Goldie and other investors.
Date last checked2026-06-05

Always verify this information directly with the company, the FCA Register and Companies House before relying on it.

General guidance only. Information on this page is for general reference. Ask Fin does not provide regulated financial, debt, legal or tax advice. Fields marked “Not verified” have not been independently confirmed.

Why someone might search for N Brown Group Limited

Retail finance repayment
Missed payment
Settlement figure
Complaint
Debt passed to collector

Before you contact N Brown Group Limited

  • 1Check the company name and any trading names carefully.
  • 2Verify the company on the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk before sharing personal or financial details.
  • 3Check the Companies House record if relevant.
  • 4Do not share payment card or bank details unless you are certain you are dealing with the real company.
  • 5Keep copies of all letters, emails, screenshots and payment records.
  • 6If you are unsure or under financial pressure, get free debt advice before taking action.

Questions worth asking

These are general questions that may be relevant to your situation. They are not personalised advice.

  • ?What is my current balance and how is interest calculated?
  • ?What are my repayment options?
  • ?Can I have a full statement of account?
  • ?What happens if I miss a payment?
  • ?How do I make a formal complaint?
  • ?Has my account been passed to or sold to a third party?
  • ?Are there any payment support or breathing space options available?

Contact details

PhoneNot verified (brand-specific numbers only)
EmailNot verified (brand-level contact forms only)
Registered addressGriffin House, 40 Lever Street, Manchester, M60 6ES, United Kingdom

Always use contact details from N Brown Group Limited’s official website ↗ or the FCA Register — not from unexpected letters or messages.

Regulatory and company information

FCA Firm Reference Number311618 (J D Williams & Company Limited — the FCA-regulated subsidiary)
FCA statusAuthorised (J D Williams & Company Limited, FRN 311618, for consumer credit and general insurance activities)
Companies House number00814103 (N Brown Group Limited, formerly N Brown Group PLC until March 2025)
Company statusActive (Private Limited Company — converted from PLC March 2025, incorporated 29 July 1964, SIC 70100 head office activities)
Parent companyN Brown Group Limited is the holding company. Privatised and delisted from London Stock Exchange in 2023 following a management buyout backed by Josh Goldie and other investors.

Useful official links

What they do

Main products and services

Retail catalogue credit accounts; buy-now-pay-later credit; personal loans via Studio Personal Finance brand; clothing, footwear, homewares and beauty products across multiple brand catalogues; predominantly online and catalogue-based

Trading names and group notes

J D Williams & Company Limited (FRN 311618) is the FCA-authorised subsidiary that provides consumer credit under all N Brown trading brands. Studio Personal Finance is a product within this structure. The group also previously owned Studio Retail Group (separate entity, entered administration 2022). N Brown Group Limited (00814103) is the parent holding company.

Reviews and public sentiment

Review scores are third-party public indicators only. They are not proof of FCA compliance, product quality, or suitability for your circumstances.

Trustpilot

Not verified (multiple brand-specific Trustpilot profiles — JDWilliams.co.uk has approximately 14,700 reviews)

approximately 14,700 (JDWilliams brand) reviews

Other review sources

JD Williams Trustpilot profile active at trustpilot.com/review/www.jdwilliams.co.uk. Reviews.io profile also active with 360+ reviews.

Overall public sentiment

Mixed. Positive reviews note value-for-money products, easy catalogue credit, and wide size ranges. Negative reviews focus on delivery issues (Evri courier problems), unresolved order disputes, and customer service responsiveness. Credit-related complaints include unsolicited credit limit increases and high interest rates on credit accounts. Overall sentiment mixed-to-negative for customer service; moderate for product range.

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Common questions about N Brown Group Limited

Is N Brown Group Limited FCA authorised?+
Check the FCA Register at register.fca.org.uk using the FCA Firm Reference Number (FRN) listed on this page. Always verify directly from official sources.
How do I contact N Brown Group Limited?+
Contact details are listed on this page where verified. Always use contact details from the company's official website or the FCA Register rather than details found in unexpected letters or texts.
How do I make a complaint to N Brown Group Limited?+
Start with the company's formal complaints process. If unresolved, the Financial Ombudsman Service (financial-ombudsman.org.uk) may be able to help, depending on the type of complaint.
What should I do if I cannot afford repayments?+
Contact the company as soon as possible. If you are struggling with payments or under financial pressure, free regulated debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).
Where can I get free help?+
If you are struggling with payments or under financial pressure, free regulated debt advice is available from StepChange (0800 138 1111), National Debtline (0808 808 4000) and Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848).

Answers are general guidance only. Rules and procedures may change. Always verify with the company or a qualified adviser.

Related guides and resources

Sources and date checks

Other Retail Finance companies

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