The Doyen Group, a London-based hedge fund, is launching a new sports investment group led by former XIX Entertainment Senior VP SIMON OLIVEIRA and CAA agent MATTHEW KAY. The group, which will be called Doyen Global, will invest and buy businesses working in areas ranging from talent management and technology start-ups to media rights and property sales. New funds like Doyen typically start with more than US$155M to invest. Oliveira declined to comment on the size of the fund. He said that they will primarily look at opportunities in Asia, North America and South America, but noted that they will be based in London and have a presence in Europe. Oliveira said, “We’ll put the right investments in things we’re not only passionate about but things we feel are good value and we can build through our own expertise and make stronger. It doesn’t mean we have to always come in with cash flow. We may bring something they don’t have in terms of our skill set.” Prior to joining Doyen, Oliveira concentrated on communications and branding work at XIX Entertainment for DAVID BECKHAM, ANDY MURRAY and LEWIS HAMILTON. Oliveira will continue to consult XIX Entertainment and work with Beckham. Kay helped managed the commercial business of CRISTIANO RONALDO and JOSE MOURINHO. The Doyen Group also has an office Istanbul, and investments in areas such as mining, oil and gas, energy, real estate and sports and entertainment. Its Doyen Sports Investments division makes football-related investments in talent and provides independent financing to teams.
