Bollore Closes In On 25% Aegis Share

Vincent Bollore’s continued purchases of Aegis shares has brought the French entrepreneur within reach of a 25% share in the company.

Bollore’s French financier, Groupe Bollore, announced on Saturday that it had raised its stake in Aegis Group to 24.97%. Should Bollore extend his stake to the 25% mark he will achieve a blocking minority in the company.

Bollore has increased his stake in Aegis steadily since the end of September, when he held a stake of around 6% in the company (see Increased Stake Fuels Bollore/Aegis Rumours).

The businessman has repeatedly described his interest in Aegis as a purely “financial” one, although analysts have since speculated that he will soon attempt a tie-up between Aegis and Havas, of which he is the chairman and largest shareholder, possibly of their media purchasing operations.

Last week saw Publicis chief executive Maurice Levy describe the on going race for control of Aegis as being entirely in Bollore’s hands. “The position of Bollore is such that he is the one who will make the decision,” he explained (see ‘Little Possibility” Of Renewed Aegis Bid Says Levy).

Media giant WPP is also understood to be plotting a bid for control of Aegis’ research arm Synovate, although a deadline of 25 November has been set for a firm approach by the company following seemingly endless speculation over WPP’s intentions (see WPP Given Deadline For Aegis Bid).

Aegis Group: 020 7070 7700 www.aegisplc.com