Page 7 - bne magazine February 2022_20220208

bne February 2022 Companies & Markets I 7
Solak is also the lead investor behind Sport Republic, a London- based investment firm in the sports and entertainment industry though which Southampton Football Club was acquired. Founded by technology, media and telecoms investor Henrik Kraft and football executive Rasmus Ankersen, the firm says its aim is “to apply proprietary intelligence and data analytics to help sports businesses and sports technology companies reach their full potential”.
“My partners and I have experience in long-term investments in the sports and entertainment industry and Sport Republic has been founded to combine this expertise and deliver something unique to the market,” Solak was quoted as saying in a press release published by Southampton Football Club and Sport Republic.
“Southampton has so many of the qualities we have been looking for in a major sports organisation. It has a great
Corruption probe launched at Bosnia's biggest pharmaceuticals manufacturer
Eldar Dizdarevic in Sarajevo
Members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of Bosnia & Herzegovina searched the premises of Bosnalijek in Sarajevo, the country’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, on December 6 and arrested two people.
The Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia & Herzegovina confirmed that SIPA is conducting searches at Bosnalijek due to suspicions of organised and economic crime and corruption.
The prosecution also stated that searches in progress in several cities in Bosnia, and that arrests of other suspects are underway. They said this is an investigation into “multimillion- dollar acts of corruption”.
SIPA representatives also searched the house of Bosnalijek director Nedim Uzunovic, who was questioned during the day.
According to unofficial sources, the prosecution's investigation is focused on the controversial privatisation of Bosnalijek with Russian capital through offshore companies in several countries.
The key country in the disputed transactions was the Czech Republic, where the company Close Ville was founded five
management team, excellent talent development, talented teams playing attractive football and a dedicated fan base. We are delighted to be able to complete this acquisition as a first step towards execution of our investment strategy. Southampton will be a cornerstone of the organisation we plan to build.”
Kraft added that “Whilst Southampton is Sport Republic’s first acquisition, we expect more investments to follow over the coming years. Our ambition is to build a portfolio of high influence stakes in football clubs and other sporting assets across the world.”
He added that Sport Republic will also invest in early stage sports technology companies and use its portfolio to accelerate their development.
Bosnalijek, the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Bosnia.
years ago. Close Ville reportedly collected Bosnalijek's claims from Russia and retained a 10% commission.
"Regarding the investigative actions carried out in the company Bosnalijek, we hereby emphasise that we are fully at the disposal of all investigative and control bodies in Bosnia & Herzegovina," Bosnalijek said in a statement.
On several occasions in recent years, all the required documentation has been submitted and full cooperation with all investigative and control bodies has been ensured, the company added added.
“Bosnalijek is the largest domestic drug manufacturer
and one of the regional leaders in the industry, operating successfully on three continents, exporting to more than 20 countries and employing more than 800 workers. In the last two years, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are fully focused on meeting the needs of the domestic market and we will do our best to confirm and preserve our strategic role for Bosnia & Herzegovina and all our citizens in the coming period.We assure citizens and all our business partners operation and maintenance of all business processes,” the company added.
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