Tycoon praises Kate’s ‘inspiring’ mum

THE millionaire tycoon who bought Carole Middleton’s Party Pieces business after it fell into administration says the Princess of Wales’s mother is an ‘inspirational businesswoman’ – and that the Royal Family is lucky to have her.

Entrepreneur James Sinclair, 37, has taken over the business, which was launched by Mrs Middleton and her husband Michael in 1987, for an undisclosed amount.

The sale to Mr Sinclair’s Teddy Tastic company, which sells soft toys, was made on Thursday. The 12 employees at Party Pieces are understood to be transferring to work for him.

The Essex businessman started his first company aged 15 and now runs a £30million leisure empire – which includes an ice cream company, nurseries, soft play centres and children’s attractions.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said Mrs Middleton chose to sell the business to him because she backs his plans to ‘get kids away from screens’.

Mr Sinclair said: ‘We will be operating our own firm called Crafty Pieces within the Party Pieces brand.

‘We started speaking around three months ago and we got on really well, she is an inspirational businesswoman – the Royal Family are fortunate to have her.’

The tycoon said the company would be marketing ‘slime teddy bears’ and ‘handson’ items for children and that Mrs Middleton was ‘delighted’ with the ideas.

Mr Sinclair added: ‘We both said the main thing was to get kids away from screens and we want to preserve the Party Pieces brand... she will still be available on the telephone for us.’

The businessman also said that Mrs Middleton’s best qualities are embodied in the Princess of Wales.

He said: ‘She is hard-working and as a consequence we can see that in Kate.’