16th July 2025
July 15 – Brentford FC have brought in British philanthropist Gary Lubner and filmmaker Sir Matthew Vaughn as minority shareholders through their investment in Best Intentions Analytics, the holding company for the Premier League club.
Matthew Benham remains majority shareholder, having taken control in 2012. The new investment will enable greater squad investment and create enhanced commercial opportunities to grow Brentford’s reach.
The combined shares of Lubner and Vaughn are reportedly no greater than 10% of the business.
South African-born Lubner, founder of This Day Foundation and former Belron chief executive, brings more than 20 years of investment and philanthropy expertise. Sir Matthew Vaughn, founder of MARV and director of films including the Kingsman franchise and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, has long admired the club.
The investment follows Brentford’s successful 2024/25 season with a 10th-place Premier League finish – their second top-half finish in four Premier League seasons. This will be the Bees’ fifth consecutive top-flight campaign since promotion in 2021.
Chief executive Jon Varney said: “This is an exciting time for Brentford. The club has enjoyed significant success in recent years, and this investment will build on that progress to help us continue to challenge in both on-pitch performance and off-pitch commercial growth.
“It is vital to us that any new investors understand and reflect the values of our club. Since we first met Gary and Matthew, we have been aligned on how they can make a positive impact.”
Lubner emphasised the club’s community focus: “I am a strong believer in the power of sport to build and unite communities and I have been hugely impressed by the values on which this great club has been established and continues to thrive.
“Brentford stands for more than just football. Its commitment to community, integrity and social progress reflects the values I care deeply about.”
Vaughn said he has a 25-year connection to the club: “My journey with Brentford began 25 years ago when an actor suggested it would be a ‘great club to invest in’ and I’ve followed their progress ever since with well-earned respect.
“There is a uniquely universal respect for this club in the football world, and I too share in this admiration deeply.”
The investment structure was enabled by Benham’s February decision to transfer his shares into the newly formed Best Intentions Analytics holding company.
This will be a challenging period for the club as this summer they have lost their manager of seven years, Thomas Frank, to Tottenham Hotspur, captain Christian Nørgaard to Arsenal, and Mark Flekken, who was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen for €10 million. The vultures are also sniffing around flying forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.
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