Supermodel Claudia Schiffer’s film-maker husband doubles stake in Brentford to hand high-flying Premier League club major windfall
Brentford have received a fantastic £40m injection thanks in part to the man behind the Marvel movies.
The high-flying Bees, currently seventh in the Premier League under Keith Andrews, have announced further investment from philanthropist Gary Lubner and the acclaimed filmmaker Sir Matthew Vaughn.
Vaughn, husband of actress Claudia Schiffer, is thought to have doubled his stake, along with Lubner, who is one of the Labour Party’s biggest donors.
When the pair took 10 per cent last year it was based on a valuation of around £400m.
The club have also announced the appointment of two new directors – chairman of Universal Music Group Sir Lucian Grainge CBE and senior exec at Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, Prakash Melwani.
The two new arrivals have joined the board of Best Intentions Analytics Limited, the club’s holding company.
Brentford received a £40m injection thanks in part to acclaimed filmmaker Sir Matthew Vaughn – pictured right alongside his wife Claudia Schiffer
Matthew Benham remains the majority owner, having taken full control of the club in 2012.
A club spokesperson said the investment will allow for ‘continued growth on and off the pitch’ and will ‘create enhanced commercial opportunities’.
Vaughn, who directed Layer Cake and was a producer on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the Fantastic Four, said: ‘When Gary and I closed our first round of investment, we knew we were on to something good. And six months on, that’s proving to be true with a competitive squad, a brilliant head coach and an off-pitch team that’s second to none. It’s a privilege to be part of the Brentford family.’
Sources have disclosed that the investment should impact on Brentford’s transfer activity and ability to attract targets that reflect its growth in the Premier League.
