Sir David Beckham is set to receive a substantial £25 million payout following a record-breaking year for his brand empire. The windfall comes from DRJB Holdings, the holding company that oversees the former footballer's brand and TV production business, which paid dividends totaling $75.7 million to shareholders. Beckham's company, Footwork Productions, which holds a 45% stake in DRJB Holdings, entitles him to nearly half of this distribution.
The dividend payout represents a significant increase from the $67.4 million distributed last year, reflecting the continued commercial success of the Beckham brand. Through brand management arm DB Ventures, which is owned by DRJB Holdings, Sir David has secured lucrative marketing partnerships with companies including Stella Artois, Hugo Boss, and SharkNinja. The former England captain continues to capitalize on his personal brand despite having ceded control of the business operations.
DRJB Holdings Limited, which encompasses David Beckham Ventures Limited, Seven Global LLP and Studio 99 Group, posted a net profit of £35.1 million for the year, marking a nearly 25% increase from £29.1 million in 2023. This surge in profitability enabled the group to distribute an underlying ordinary dividend of £39 million. The remaining 55% of DRJB Holdings is owned by US sports branding giant Authentic Brands, which acquired its stake for $269 million three years ago.
The brand's expansion continues across multiple sectors, with recent developments including Safilo acquiring the perpetual license to design, produce, and distribute the Beckham eyewear collection. The group has also secured a multi-year design collaboration with Boss, launching new David Beckham collections, and has moved into the wellness sector through a partnership with health sciences company Prenetics. Through IM8, co-founded with Prenetics in 2024, Beckham has entered the nutritional supplement market, with the business rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing in the global consumer health sector.
London's Metropolitan Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of an 85-year-old man who was allegedly assaulted by a fellow patient at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith. Andrew Farmer, from Ealing in west London, sustained serious injuries during the incident on September 18 and died a week later on September 25, according to police statements released Wednesday.
The investigation centers around an altercation between two patients at the west London hospital, with authorities confirming that 70-year-old Anatoliy Podmazko, of no fixed address, was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with grievous bodily harm on September 20. Podmazko is scheduled to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on October 17 as the case progresses from initial charges to a full murder investigation.
Detective Inspector Kirsten Hadleigh, who is leading the investigation, emphasized the sensitivity of the case, stating: "Our thoughts remain with Andrew's family and friends at this undoubtedly difficult time. We remain in close contact with Andrew's loved ones and are keeping them up to date with the progress of our investigation." The police continue to make enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and subsequent death.
Andrew Farmer's partner of 60 years, Paul Wrigley, paid tribute to the deceased, describing him as "my partner through thick and thin for 60 years" and noting his academic achievements as "an Oxford First" who had deep interests in opera, Devon topography, and helping the underprivileged. Wrigley remembered Farmer as "scholarly but with a wry sense of humor" in a statement released through the Metropolitan Police, concluding with "Rest now, my dear friend."