Jaeger owner eyes Austin Reed

Harold Tillman, the owner of Jaeger, is circling Austin Reed amid speculation its owners Peter Klimt and Guy Naggar could sell the menswear firm to raise funds to support their ailing investment firm Dawnay Day. The upmarket menswear retailer is a private interest of the two entrepreneurs and is unaffected by the collapse of Dawnay Day, which has seen the majority of companies that comprise its complex £2bn financial services and property interests placed into the hands of administrators. Tillman said: 'Austin Reed has been on my radar for many years. I have left messages where one should do. I have left messages for Guy and spoken to the bank.'