The National Portrait Gallery taps TSBA Group

The TSBA Group has welcomed the internationally renowned National Portrait Gallery to its roster of English heritage brands.

Following the success of taking the British Museum to the global licensing stage, TSBA has outlined its equally ambitious plans to expand the reach of the National Portrait Gallery’s brand. This will be achieved through a programme spanning retail, licensees and collaborations in homeware, gifting, stationery, apparel and more.

Founded in 1856, London’s National Portrait Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. The Gallery invites visitors to meet the people who have made – and are making – Britain what it is today, including kings, queens, artists, authors, musicians, actors, scientists and politicians.

The licensing programme will take inspiration from the National Portrait Gallery’s vast collection of paintings and photography, to create ranges that provide a contemporary perspective to its rich heritage. Initial themes include Kings and Queens, drawing on the intricacies of fabrics and fashions in the Gallery’s Tudor portraits.

TSBA’s appointment will generate revenues for the National Portrait Gallery to invest in its curatorial and educational work, as well as to help conserve and maintain its collection.

Stephanie Freeman, global head of licensing for TSBA Group said: “Following a competitive selection process, we are really pleased to have been appointed as the National Portrait Gallery’s global agent. With such an extensive collection of renowned portraits to take inspiration from, we look forward to building a cross-category business across multiple territories and showcasing the brand at Licensing Expo.”

Anna Starling, head of commercial at the National Portrait Gallery, added: “The Gallery’s unique Collection of portraits includes over 330,000 works. From its much-loved Tudor collection to contemporary photography, from sitters such as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn to Dame Kelly Holmes and Audrey Hepburn, the Collection is a seemingly endless mine of fascinating images and stories.

“We are delighted to be working with TSBA, who can use their expertise to open up the Collection to a broad international audience and help us realise its full potential, building on the licensing work the Gallery has already done.”