Who Owns OnBuy? A Deep Dive into the Ownership & Leadership Behind the UK Marketplace

OnBuy has rapidly become one of the UK’s most prominent online marketplaces, attracting both buyers and sellers with its fair model and transparent approach. As the platform’s recognition grows, so does curiosity about who owns OnBuy, who runs it, and what the future holds for this innovative e-commerce brand. This post provides an in-depth exploration of OnBuy’s ownership, leadership team, and structure, drawing on official records and recent business updates.

Essential Highlights

OnBuy Ltd is the current legal entity behind the marketplace, incorporated in April 2024 and headquartered in London.
Cas Paton, the original founder from 2016, is a key figure in OnBuy’s story; recent filings show new directors leading the entity.
The present directors of OnBuy Ltd are Cassion Lm Paton (CEO) and James Andrew Watts (CFO), both appointed in April 2024.
Significant outside investment has powered OnBuy’s expansion, with over $58 million raised from notable investors.
OnBuy operates with a unique, seller-friendly approach, never competing as a retailer itself.
For regularly updated data on business ownership across the UK, visit Who Owns UK Companies.

Introduction to OnBuy: The Marketplace Revolution
Legal Entity: Who is OnBuy Ltd?
Directors & Leadership: Who Runs OnBuy?
Shareholders and Investment Backers
OnBuy’s Operating Model and Vision
Related Insights & Further Reading
FAQs: Who Owns OnBuy and More

Introduction to OnBuy: The Marketplace Revolution

OnBuy has quickly become one of the most exciting marketplaces in the UK, standing out for its commitment to fairness and transparency. Since its launch in 2016, OnBuy has grown its product offering to millions of items and over 5,000 sellers, firmly positioning itself as a key e-commerce player[7][5].

OnBuy’s mission is to offer a better experience for both buyers and sellers by “levelling the playing field”; it operates very differently from traditional marketplaces by refusing to compete with its own merchants[7].

Legal Entity: Who is OnBuy Ltd?

The official business operating OnBuy is OnBuy Ltd, a private limited company incorporated on April 3, 2024. Its registered office is at 167-169 Great Portland Street, Fifth Floor, London[1][3].

Key details about OnBuy Ltd:
– Company number: 15611912
– Incorporated: 3 April 2024
– Currently active and classified as a micro-entity, with fewer than 10 employees
– Awaiting submission of its first set of accounts (expected by September 2025)[1]

This entity represents the latest structure in OnBuy’s ongoing evolution, suggesting a reorganization or relaunch under a newly incorporated company—a common step for scaling tech businesses.

For deeper legal backgrounds and updates, explore OnBuy Ltd’s profile.

Directors & Leadership: Who Runs OnBuy?

At the helm of OnBuy Ltd are two directors: Cassion Lm Paton (CEO) and James Andrew Watts (CFO), both British nationals based in England[3].

Their official roles:
– Cassion Lm Paton: Chief Executive Officer, appointed at incorporation in April 2024, date of birth October 1984
– James Andrew Watts: Chief Financial Officer, appointed at the same time, date of birth October 1985[3]

These appointments reflect the latest listed leadership; historically, Cas Paton (the original founder and previous CEO, whose full name is often cited as Cas Paton) played a critical role in shaping the platform’s philosophy and rapid expansion[7]. The current leadership team continues to build on his vision of a fair, seller-first marketplace.

To learn more about company leadership and changes in directorship, see official UK records.

Shareholders and Investment Backers

OnBuy has attracted significant outside investment, raising over $58 million (£45 million) from venture capital funds and private investors[5].

Key investors include:
– Fuel Ventures
– Richard Goulding
– Norway Post (Bring Ventures)
– Guy Hands
– Several other prominent investors[5]

This influx of capital has supported OnBuy’s aggressive expansion plans, enabling the company to grow its workforce, expand internationally, and invest in technology.

For those researching company ownership and shareholder updates, the Who Owns OnBuy page provides accessible breakdowns and regular updates.

OnBuy’s Operating Model and Vision

OnBuy is unique for its seller-driven ethos and its pledge never to compete directly against its merchants[7].

Highlights of the model:
– Sellers gain competitive fees (5–9%) and immediate payment via PayPal
– Buyers have access to millions of products spanning 17 departments
– OnBuy is rapidly scaling operations, with a global marketplace in development, aiming to launch in more than 140 countries[7]
– Transparent, risk-free selling and exclusive Sales Guarantee for merchants

Learn how ownership and company strategy impact every UK business by browsing the Who Owns directory.

Related Insights & Further Reading

To gain more context and stay updated:

Visit Who Owns: Main Directory
Explore the OnBuy Ltd company profile
See official filings on Companies House
Read coverage on CB Insights
Deep-dive into e-commerce models at the UK E-commerce Association
For broader marketplace trends, visit Statista’s e-commerce section
Consult TechCrunch’s UK startups coverage

FAQs: Who Owns OnBuy and More

1. Who is the current owner of OnBuy?
OnBuy Ltd, incorporated in April 2024, is the company behind OnBuy. Its directors are Cassion Lm Paton (CEO) and James Andrew Watts (CFO), with significant investment from various venture capital funds[1][3][5].

2. Who founded OnBuy?
The original founder is Cas Paton, who launched OnBuy in 2016 to provide a fair and transparent marketplace for both sellers and buyers[7][5].

3. Does OnBuy have external investors?
Yes, OnBuy has raised over $58 million from investors including Fuel Ventures, Norway Post, Guy Hands, and others[5].

4. Where is OnBuy headquartered?
OnBuy’s registered office is in London at 167-169 Great Portland Street. Its historical operational base was in Bournemouth[1][5].

5. How can I check the latest directorships or company structure of OnBuy?
You can find real-time updates on Companies House or via Who Owns OnBuy.

6. Is OnBuy planning international expansion?
Yes, OnBuy’s leadership has stated ambitions to expand globally, targeting over 140 countries[7].

7. How does OnBuy’s business model differ from other marketplaces?
OnBuy operates a transparent, seller-friendly platform and pledges never to compete as a retailer. It offers lower fees and immediate payment, unlike some larger competitors[7].

For a comprehensive look at business ownership across the UK and direct links to official documents and updates, see Who Owns UK Companies.

Who Owns Onbuy