Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Lord Bilimoria joins consortium aiming to buy Chelsea FC

Lord Bilimoria joins consortium aiming to buy Chelsea FC

Influential businessman Lord Karan Bilimoria has been added to the Ricketts family’s bid to buy Chelsea Football Club.

The Cobra Beer founder, who is a lifelong Chelsea fan, joins a consortium led by US multi-billionaires Ken Griffin and Dan Gilbert and Tom and Laura Ricketts - owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.


I founded Cobra Beer just down the road from Stamford Bridge and have been a season ticket holder for many years,” said Lord Bilimoria.

So when Tom Ricketts approached me to discuss a leading role in his bid group, there was no way I could refuse.

Tom and the wider group have a proven track record of running successful sports teams and a strong vision for both the club and the local community,” added Lord Bilimoria, who is the president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).

Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham of Chelsea celebrates with the Champions League win in 2021 Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Kai Havertz and Tammy Abraham of Chelsea celebrates with the Champions League win in 2021 (Photo by Manu Fernandez - Pool/Getty Images)

Aside from being a successful businessman and politician, Lord Bilimoria is leading campaigner for equality and diversity.

He is the founding chairman of the UK India Business Council and is also chair of Change the Race Ratio, which is committed to increasing and championing ethnic minority diversity across businesses in the UK.

"The move will further boost the bid team's credentials and its connection with UK business, sport and politics," the Ricketts family said in a statement.

"Lord Bilimoria would join the Board of Chelsea as a Director if the bid is successful. He will act as an ambassador and support the club's philanthropic programmes."

Tom Ricketts added: “We have always been clear that having local expertise and perspectives on our bid is vital. Given Lord Bilimoria’s unparalleled credentials and his love for Chelsea, he is the perfect addition to our team.”

Owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs is seen on the field before the Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field Owner Tom Ricketts of the Chicago Cubs is seen on the field before the Cubs take on the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Chelsea were initially put up for sale by owner Roman Abramovich following Russia's invasion and before sanctions were imposed on the oligarch by the British government, effectively giving it control of the club.

The Ricketts family, LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and British business titan Jonathan Goldstein, Sir Martin Broughton and Lord Sebastian Coe, and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca are the final four contenders to buy the Blues.

The club's sale is being overseen by US bank Raine Group with a deadline set for April 14th for final bids.

Raine will then put forward their preferred bid to the Government. The takeover of the club is expected to go through next month, with the sale expected to reach a sports-franchise record £3billion.

More For You

Starmer-Reeves-Getty

Starmer and Reeves during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton, to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy on June 23, 2025 in Nuneaton. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reeves ‘going nowhere’, says Starmer after tears in parliament

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for “a very long time to come”, after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as questions were raised about her future.

Reeves was seen with tears rolling down her face during Prime Minister’s Questions, after Starmer did not confirm whether she would remain chancellor until the next general election, expected in 2029.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

Chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus , prays at Abu Sayeed’s grave

Bangladesh begins trial over slain student activist

BANGLADESH opened on Monday (30) the murder trial of student protester Abu Sayeed, whose killing last year escalated demonstrations nationwide that ultimately ousted then prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sayeed died aged 23 in the northern city of Rangpur, the first student demonstrator killed in the police crackdown on protests.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-trump-getty
Modi shakes hands with Trump before a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Getty Images)
Getty Images

Indian exporters watch closely as Trump says trade deal with India likely

THE US could reach a trade deal with India that would help American companies compete more easily in the Indian market and reduce tariff rates, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. However, he cast doubt on a similar deal with Japan.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he believed India was ready to lower trade barriers, potentially paving the way for an agreement that would avoid the 26 per cent tariff rate he had announced on April 2 and paused until July 9.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

Photo for representation (Photo: iStock)

Fathers over 60 help 'reverse UK birthrate decline'

THE UK has recorded its first increase in births since 2021, with a notable rise in babies born to fathers over 60 helping to lift the numbers, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

 

In 2024, there were 594,677 live births in England and Wales, up 0.6 per cent from the previous year. While this is a modest increase, it marks a change after several years of decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Quad-leaders

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year. (Photo credit: X/@DrSJaishankar)

X/@DrSJaishankar

Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, flags China’s actions and Myanmar crisis

THE QUAD grouping has called for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the Pahalgam terror attack to be brought to justice without delay. The group also urged all UN member states to cooperate in the process.

The foreign ministers of the Quad — India, the US, Australia and Japan — met in Washington DC on Tuesday to outline priorities for the bloc’s annual summit to be held in India later this year.

Keep ReadingShow less