line of dolls which has won 12 international awards and received worldwide press and social media coverage. Lottie targets a market niche driven by parental concerns about daughters being prematurely sexualised, having negative perceptions of body image and missing out on essential childhood experiences.

The company’s Managing Director, Ian Harkin, is a Ballybofey native and qualified accountant who is returning to Ireland having had previous founder/director level experience in a rapidly growing UK-based toy company. Ian is joined in the business by Creative Director Lucie Follett, who is FSA qualified and who worked in investment banking before starting her own online marketing consultancy, and a panel of highly experienced advisors.

Arklu is establishing its operations in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, and will hire a team of marketing and technical people to drive the growth of the business through sales and marketing and product development activities.