A new partner, the same club: Slough Town welcomes Development Holding Company

Slough Town Football Club is delighted to announce a strategic investment and partnership with Development Holding Company (DH), a Kuwait-based investment group, bringing new resources to the first team and supporting the club’s ambitions on and off the pitch.

New investment will go straight into the playing budget to strengthen the squad this season, with further investment planned to support the club’s long-term development.

The partnership will also support the continued development of Arbour Park, the proposed Tamblyn Fields Community Sports Hub, our football pathway and the club’s wider community work.

What it means for the club

First team investment. Additional funds available for the playing budget to strengthen the squad this season and give the club greater resources to compete in an increasingly challenging National League South.

Tamblyn Fields. The proposed Community Sports Hub represents an exciting opportunity for Slough and the surrounding community, with discussions continuing with relevant stakeholders.

Arbour Park Stadium. We will continue to invest in our stadium, facilities and matchday experience.

Continuity across the club. Ashley Smith will continue as Chief Executive Officer, with the existing operational structure remaining in place. The club’s first-team management arrangements are also in place as we look to build for the remainder of the season.

Building on what we have achieved

When A23 took responsibility for Slough Town, the aim was to build a sustainable football club, strengthen its foundations and create something the town could be proud of.

Since then, the men’s first team has had three competitive league campaigns in National League South, runs to the First Round and Second Round of The Emirates FA Cup, and considerable success with developing young players, many of whom have moved on to professional clubs and generated considerable transfer fees. The club has continued to develop its junior teams, Elite Development Squad, girls’ and ladies’ football, facilities and community programmes.

We have never just been building a first team. We have been building a club.

With non-league football becoming increasingly competitive, we recognised the need for a strategic partner who shared our ambition and could help accelerate the progress already being made.

Following a search lasting close to a year, we believe we have found that partner in DH.

The partnership will support four key areas of development:

Sustainability – strengthening the club’s financial and operational foundations.
Talent – investing in the first team, Elite Development Squad, Academy, and wider football pathway across male and female teams.
Fan Experience – enhancing the club’s online presence, giving supporters access to more content; matchdays, facilities and engagement with supporters.
Community – expanding the club’s role across Slough, including through community programmes and the Tamblyn Fields Community Sports Hub.

These pillars build on the work already under way and provide a framework for the next stage of the club’s development.

The investment and ownership agreement

Under the agreement, DH will initially acquire a 25% shareholding in A23 Football Group, the club’s ownership company.

Further agreed acquisitions over the next two years will increase DH’s shareholding to 50% and ultimately to 70%, at which point DH will become the majority owner of Slough Town Football Club.

The immediate priority is to strengthen the first team, while supporting the club’s wider ambitions for its facilities, football pathway and community. Funding has already been committed, with further investment planned for later this season and beyond.

A new chapter with the same foundations

As part of the agreement, Talal Al Ajmi becomes Chairman of Slough Town Football Club.

Talal is a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, investor, and the Founder and CEO of Development Holding Company, a diversified investment group with interests across financial services, technology, retail, food and beverage, and other consumer-focused sectors.

Talal has established personal and business ties to the United Kingdom and is in the country regularly. He owns residential properties in Manchester, London and Berkshire, including Slough. Talal is a Manchester United season ticket holder.

Mike Lightfoot will step down as Chairman and as a director, becoming Honorary Life President in recognition of his contribution to the club.

Ashley Smith will continue as Chief Executive Officer, with Simon Doyle, Kay Lathey and Tristan Heywood remaining as directors alongside Talal. The board will continue to govern collectively as the partnership develops.

The intention is to combine the experience and knowledge already within the club with DH’s investment, business experience and international network, providing the resources to take Slough Town forward while respecting the foundations already established.

In their words

Ashley Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Slough Town, said:

“This is the partner we have been looking for: people who respect what has been built at Slough Town and want to help us take the next step.

“The immediate priority is clear. We have additional backing for the first-team playing budget, giving the new management team and squad further resources as we compete in an increasingly challenging National League South.

“But this partnership is about much more than the first team. Tamblyn Fields, continued investment in Arbour Park, our Academy and football pathway, and the development of the club commercially and within the community all provide reasons to be excited about what comes next.

“We have spent the past few years building strong foundations. This partnership gives us the opportunity to accelerate that progress while keeping the identity and values of Slough Town firmly at the centre of everything we do.

“We have been open to strategic investment that supports the club’s long term ambitions, and we believe we have found the right partner to help us move forward. We are grateful to our Sports Lawyer Paul Mohamed for his help and guidance, and Alexander Jarvis of Blackbridge Sports LLC, who has supported us throughout our search for a new investment partner, introduced us to Development Holding Company and guided us through the process.”

Talal Al Ajmi, Chairman of Slough Town Football Club and Founder of Development Holding Company, said:

“I am delighted to begin this new chapter with Slough Town Football Club. I am not coming here to start again. I am coming here to build on what is already here.

“What attracted us to Slough Town was the club’s history, the progress that has been made and the opportunity to work with the people who have built those foundations.

“Our approach will be long-term. We want to invest in the football club, strengthen its foundations, develop its facilities and create new opportunities, while respecting what makes Slough Town special.

“I also want to listen and learn. Trust is earned through actions, and I look forward to meeting supporters, hearing their views and understanding what this club means to them.”

Mike Lightfoot, Honorary Life President of Slough Town, said:

“It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman of Slough Town Football Club. Finding the right partner was an important decision, and I believe this partnership gives the club a stronger platform for the years ahead.

“I am delighted to remain involved as Honorary Life President and will continue to support Slough Town in any way I can.”

About Development Holding Company

Development Holding Company is a Kuwait-based investment and holding group founded by Talal Al Ajmi, with interests across financial services, technology, retail, food and beverage and other consumer-focused sectors.

Talal began his career in financial markets and brokerage, founding Version International Markets (VI Markets) in Kuwait. He subsequently established DH as a platform to acquire, develop and invest in businesses across multiple sectors. Its portfolio includes Massaleh Investment Company, VI Markets, 20 Grams Specialty Coffee, Canteen Kuwait and The Fragrance Kitchen.

Meet the Chairman

Talal Al Ajmi will join Ashley Smith, Simon Doyle, Tristan Heywood and other members of the club’s board at a supporter meet and greet at Arbour Park on Thursday 19 November, with a 7pm start. The event will give supporters the opportunity to meet the new Chairman and hear more about his vision for Slough Town.

The next chapter starts here

This is the next stage of the journey we started more than three years ago. With new investment, fresh ambition and the same foundations, we look forward to building the future of Slough Town together.