The shareholders of Brive Rugby SAS today voted unanimously in favour of a capital increase to enable Ian Osborne to become the largest shareholder in CA Brive.
Ian Osborne is an investor in leading technology companies, with a strong passion for rugby and an ambition to strengthen his presence in France as a long-term and supportive investor. Ian is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hedosophia, a global investment firm supporting category-defining Internet and technology companies. Ian was introduced to the club by Yannick Bolloré, Chairman of Vivendi's Supervisory Board in July 2021. Vivendi is one of CA Brive's major shareholders and its principal sponsor.
The new injection of capital will enable CA Brive to accelerate its development towards being one of France's leading elite rugby clubs within the next five years. Ian will join a very loyal regional and national group of strong shareholders and sponsors (including Derichebourg, Andros, Allianz, Silab, InVivo, Brive le Pack…) who have supported CA Brive for many years and will continue to do so as CA Brive raises its ambitions in the French Top 14.
Commenting on his decision to invest in CA Brive, Ian Osborne said: " I am delighted to be making a personal investment in Brive – in a club, in a sport, and in a part of the world that I love. CA Brive is a truly unique club. It plays a central role in life in the Corrèze and captures a special place in the national rugby imagination. The Top 14 is an outstanding competition and French rugby, at both the club and national level, is at an incredibly exciting moment. My numerous visits to Brive over the past year have cemented my belief that the fans of Brive are the very best in France, and they deserve to see the club returned to former glories. I will be a long-term and supportive investor and, aside from strengthening the squad, I am intent on investing in the club’s infrastructure, including the outstanding youth academy which will help to produce the next generation of Briviste legends ".
Yannick Bolloré also commented on Ian’s arrival in Corrèze: " We are delighted to have been able to introduce Ian Osborne to Brive. We are proud to be both a shareholder and sponsor of this club which has similar roots in its region to our own in Brittany. We at Vivendi believe that rugby is a sport with strong values that is growing very fast with the help of Canal+ and the Rugby World Cup in France next year. It is the right moment for Ian to be investing in France and French rugby ".
Brive's Chairman, Simon Gillham, concluded: " Brive is very excited by the arrival of a new shareholder in our club. Ian's decision to invest came after a long look at our structures, our finances, our sponsors, our fabulous supporters and our huge rugby potential. I am first and foremost impressed by Ian’s passion for and knowledge of rugby, and particularly French rugby ! We warmly welcome him to the Corrèze ".