Ashleigh & Burwood was born from a moment of adversity that became a story of resilience, family, and British craftsmanship. In 1992, shortly after graduating, Andrew Nettleton returned home expecting celebration, only to find his parents distressed after the collapse of his father John’s long-standing home-fragrance company. Instead of walking into a new chapter of his own life, Andrew stepped into the family’s toughest one yet. He put his arm around his father and said, “We’ll build it back, this time, our own brand, one no one can take from us.”And so, Ashleigh & Burwood was born.

With over a decade of fragrance expertise behind him, John partnered with Andrew to rebuild from scratch. They wanted to create a British fragrance brand that felt luxurious yet accessible. When searching for a name, Andrew opened an A–Z map for inspiration, yes an A-Z! No fancy London agency or board room meetings. Ashley Road… Burwood Park… together they had a timeless, heritage ring. To elevate it even further, Ashley became Ashleigh, a subtle shift that added elegance, aspiration, and distinction.

From potpourri and refresher oils crafted in the family’s garden shed to early sell-outs at London street markets, the first years of Ashleigh & Burwood were truly hands-on. Every family member joined in, even Andrew’s grandmother. Feedback came directly from customers at bustling car boot sales, where the demand quickly caught the attention of distributors.

Within two years, the kitchen-table business had grown into a recognised name at national trade fairs.

Each milestone reflects the same entrepreneurial spirit the brand was founded on: seeing opportunity where others see obstacles.

From small UK workshops to global fragrance specialists across Asia, Ashleigh & Burwood built strong relationships with artisan makers and world-class perfumers globally. Every collection still reflects the brand’s founding values:

• Quality without compromise
• Beautiful, functional design
• Fragrance that transforms a space; joy in every scent
• Accessibility without losing luxury

Today, Ashleigh & Burwood operates from Heritage House, a warehouse four times larger than the original, renamed in honour of the legacy John and Andrew built together. With John and his wife now retired, Andrew has led the business as Managing Director, continuing the family’s vision with the same passion that started it all. The long standing family values have continued into the team with many colleagues such as Debbie, who has been working at  Ashleigh & Burwood for over 25 years now. The business is what it is today because of the loyalty and dedication of its workforce.   

What began as a moment of survival has grown into one of the UK’s leading home-fragrance brands, trusted by major retailers, loved by loyal customers, and still guided by the belief that fragrance can elevate the everyday.