Rob Williams, Dolphin Music
04th March 2009
It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic death of one of our clients, Rob Williams of Dolphin Music.
Rob, 29, died after he and business partner, Jason Tavaria, who together run the multi-million pound music firm, became separated from their party during a blizzard at the Swiss resort of Verbier, while on a snowboarding holiday. Jason was found safe six hours later.
The business partners met at school when they were 10 years old and became firm friends. They both went to Liverpool University and launched the music equipment and instrument firm Dolphin Music when they were still students. The company is now one of the leading providers of musical equipment on the internet and also has a flagship Guitar Shop in Liverpool city centre. The business employs over 50 staff and achieved sales in excess of £9.2 million in 2007, when it was ranked Britain's 11th fastest-growing company.
AFM invested in Dolphin Music in 2007 to back the company’s expansion plans. Investment Manager Paul Humphray who led the transaction for AFM said: “We are all shocked to hear this news, it is a tragedy. Rob was an extremely talented young man. He and Jason are lovely guys and everyone here is very upset to hear this news. I’d like to pass on my sincere condolences to Jason – this must be very difficult for him – not only was Rob his business partner, they were also lifelong friends who had known each other since they were 10.”
Mark Fuller, AFM’s managing director said: “On behalf of all the team at AFM, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to Rob’s family, Jason, his colleagues and friends. This is a tragic loss of a very young life. We will do everything we can to support Jason and Dolphin Music going forward.”
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For further information please contact Angela white at Alliance Fund Managers on 0151 242 6376.