Aegis: Bolloré 'More Confident' after Napier Meeting

Havas' Vincent Bolloré is more confident of securing his two boardroom seats at rival Aegis, after a recent meeting with interim CEO John Napier, according to sources quoted in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

The paper (www.telegraph.co.uk ) said sources close to Bolloré, who already holds 29.9% of Aegis stock, said he believes with the departure last week of Robert Lerwill he has a greater chance of winning the battle he has fought and lost five times. Lerwill was among the key opponents of the move, citing conflict of interest between Havas and Aegis.

Bolloré reportedly has plans to ask for board seats by the time of the group's summer AGM.

Aegis shares have tumbled in the past year, losing around 50% of their value even allowing for a surge last week due to rumours regarding Bolloré's interest. Today, last week's gain levelled off a little with a 3p fall to around 60p.

Aegis is the parent firm of top ten MR agency Synovate, online at www.synovate.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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