Proactive creates wealth management arm

The sports agency which represents Wayne Rooney today created a wealth management division for use by its all-star client list.

The move by Proactive Sports will provide players with advice on financial services, investment products, mortgage and insurance services.

Proactive’s expansion follows the acquisition for at least £2.1m (€2.98m) of Nottingham-based Kingsbridge Asset Management, which already has England cricketers Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan on its books.

On top of that deal, Proactive has joined forces with commercial and intellectual property law firm Couchman Harrington to provide clients with advice on image rights and sports marketing.

Proactive has around 270 players in seven countries on its books, including Waterford star John O’Shea.

The head of football operations is former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish.

Kingsbridge currently advises 600 UK based footballers, managers and coaching staff and deals with clients from other sports including racing and golf.

With football agents now faced with Europe-wide transfer windows, chairman John Hargreaves said today’s move met the group’s aim of reducing its dependence on one revenue stream.

He added: “It also enables the group to provide a comprehensive range of representation, management and advisory services.”