Which Famous Filmmaker and Businessman Have Bought Minority Stake in EPL Club Brentford?

In a landmark £400 million deal, renowned British filmmaker Sir Matthew Vaughn and South African businessman Gary Lubner have acquired a minority stake in Premier League club Brentford FC, marking a significant new chapter for the west London side.

Brentford Welcomes New Investment Partners

On July 15, 2025, Brentford FC announced that Sir Matthew Vaughn and Gary Lubner invested in Best Intentions Analytics (BIA), the holding company that controls Brentford as well as Spanish club Merida AD. With the possibility for the pair to buy an additional 15% share before February 2026, the investment amounts to around £400 million, which represents a 10% ownership in the club.

The agreement follows months of intensive negotiations first revealed by The Athletic in June 2025, when owner Matthew Benham sought strategic partners to support the ongoing expansion of the team. Benham, who has spent more than £100 million of his personal assets on the club since 2005, will now work closely with the current management team.

The Power Partnership: Vaughn and Lubner's Backgrounds

54-year-old Sir Matthew Vaughn provides Brentford Hollywood credibility, thanks knowledge in the entertainment sector. Directed and produced smash movies including the Kingsman series, Layer Cake, X-Men: First Class, and Kick-Ass, the renowned filmmaker is most well-known for these. He also created Guy Ritchie's groundbreaking flicks Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels as well as Snatch. Founded MARV, Vaughn has grown to be one of Britain's most accomplished independent filmmakers; Vaughn married German supermodel Claudia Schiffer in 2002. Speaking about his investment, Vaughn disclosed his long-standing affiliation with the club: "Twenty-five years ago, an actor recommended it would be a 'fantastic club to invest in' and I've followed their development with well-deserved respect". He recounted going to a game and being impressed by the "most unique, intimate, and yet epic" ambiance, also noting that there is “uniquely worldwide respect for this club in the football world. ”

Gary Lubner provides the collaboration with a wealth of business savvy and philanthropic knowledge. Born in South Africa, the entrepreneur led Belron, the largest automotive glass business in the world and parent of Autoglass, for 22 years until his retirement in 2023. Belron grew under his direction from a regional player to a worldwide operation with over 30,000 employees across 38 countries, achieving sales of about €6 billion and a valuation of €21 billion by 2021.

Born in Johannesburg to a liberal Jewish family, Lubner was involved in the anti-apartheid campaign before moving to London in the late 1980s to complete an MBA at London Business School. Having given nearly £9 million in recent years to the UK Labour Party and establishing the This Day Foundation in 2023, he has since developed into a notable philanthropist. Lubner voiced his excitement about the investment, saying: "I am a staunch believer in the power of sport to create and connect societies, and I have been quite moved by the values upon which this outstanding club has been founded and keeps to flourish".

Strategic Vision for Brentford's Future

Beyond financial support, the investment shows Brentford's desire to become a permanent fixture in the Premier League while also strengthening its worldwide reach. Three main areas will receive the monies strategically: further development of the Best Intentions multi-club group, increased business prospects, and strong transfer market activity.

Brentford CEO Jon Varney stressed the values match between the club and its new investors: "Since our first meeting with Gary and Matthew, we have been aligned on how they can make a positive impact. They bring different but complementary expertise, and I am excited to see what we can collectively achieve. " Following their tenth-place Premier League finish and preparations for their fifth straight top-flight campaign after their successful 2024/25 season, the club's investment comes at a critical moment.

With both sponsors committed to supporting the club's social influence efforts, the partnership also improves Brentford's community involvement via the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust. This investment shows the holding company's dedication to building a sustainable multi-club strategy as Brentford bought Merida AD, a Spanish third-tier side, through Best Intentions Analytics.

Under the visionary leadership of Matthew Benham from 2005, Brentford has gone through one of the most spectacular changes in English football, going from League One to the Premier League while relocating to the cutting-edge Gtech Community Stadium. With Vaughn's entertainment business ties and Lubner's commercial knowledge and philanthropic network, the club is perfectly positioned to continue its upward path both on and off the field.