Platinum makes Scottish purchase

PLATINUM One, the sports management business run by former RTÉ authority chairman Fintan Drury, has snapped up the sponsorship company owned by former Scottish rugby international Gavin Hastings.

It is believed Platinum One, which represents former Ireland manager Brian Kerr and is heavily involved in organising this year’s Ryder Cup at the K Club, paid about €150,000 for Hastings International.

Hastings was part of the group that has secured the Ryder Cup for Scotland in 2014.

Mr Drury last week resigned as chairman of the RTÉ Authority over potential conflicts of interest between his role with the broadcaster and his advisory role to the Ryder Cup and the European tour.

He said the takeover is part of the Platinum One’s move into the British market. The company already has two offices in England which represent more than 50 footballers and athletes.

Mr Drury said: “Hastings has an established record in the Scottish market in our core businesses. It is a smaller model of Platinum One and we believe that with our wider international experience we can grow a substantial business in Scotland serving sport, sponsorship and conference and event management.”

Mr Hastings, who won 61 caps for Scotland, will stay on as full-time chairman of the company - which will be renamed Platinum One (Scotland) - and will join Platinum’s main board in Dublin.

He said: “This represents the ideal opportunity for us to growth with good partners and to take the company to a new level.”