London Irish acquired by entrepreneur targeting pro return

Summarised from City AM's report · Updated 23 Oct, 12:15 · Archive

London Irish has been acquired by Essex entrepreneur Steve Daniels after going out of business in 2023. Gamechanger Investments, led by Daniels, has bought the name, brand and associated intellectual property from Kyle Jordan, son of Formula 1 legend Eddie Jordan, and Daniel McKeown.

The new ownership is targeting a return to professional rugby, with plans to resume pro rugby in 2027. They initially hoped to enter the United Rugby Championship, which features teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and South Africa, but this met with resistance. They now aim instead for a place in the Champ, English rugby's second tier, with a view to winning promotion back to the Premiership.

"London Irish is a huge name in rugby and means a great deal to a lot of people," Daniels said. Jamie Balls, former chair of London Irish Amateur RFC, has been appointed chief executive. Balls's search for new investors to revive the professional club led him to Daniels, who built a successful energy business, PE Solutions, which became a partner of the Rugby Football Union.

Read the report

• London Irish target pro return next year after takeover by Essex entrepreneurLondon Irish are targeting a return to the English professional pyramid next season after being acquired by rugby-loving Essex energy entrepreneur Steve Daniels. Gamechanger Investments, led by Daniels, has bought the name, brand and associated intellectual property relating to the historic club, which went out of business in 2023, from Kyle Jordan, son of late [...]City AM · 23 Oct, 11:19

In this story: London Irish · Steve Daniels · Kyle Jordan · Daniel McKeown · Jamie Balls · Essex

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