Vertu (www.vertu.com), a Hampshire-based company that has produced some of the most expensive mobile phones ever made, has been sold by its private-equity owner to a group of private investors.

The company, which sells its latest Signature Touch model for £9,500, was founded by Nokia in 1998 and operates in 66 countries (through its own retail stores, independent distributors and its e-commerce platform). The business has been sold by EQT, which bought a 90% stake in Vertu in 2012.

Since then, the company has transferred its operating system from Symbian to Google’s Android platform and launched a range of new handsets.

Caspar Callerström, a partner at EQT Partners, said: “We believe that Vertu is operationally stronger today and is now ready to take the next step in its development with a new owner.”

Although the identity of the private investors has not been revealed, Companies House records show that China’s Jingchun Sun, Gang Chen and Ping Zhang have been appointed directors of Vertu alongside Britain-born Caige White.

It is understood that chief executive Massimiliano Pogliani, who is credited with transforming the Nespresso coffee brand, has remained in his post. Vertu ‘hit the headlines’ in 2006 when it launched the Signature Cobra with
a price tag of more than £150,000.

More recently, the business teamed up with luxury car maker Bentley to launch a special-edition phone retailing for £14,000. Vertu has its headquarters in Church Crookham and employs more than 800 people.