Influential businessman joins Highlanders ownership

Charles Gibbon. Photo: Shearwater
Charles Gibbon. Photo: Shearwater
The Highlanders have a new high-powered minority shareholder.

Charles Gibbon, an influential businessman and investor originally from the South, has officially joined the Highlanders Rugby Club as a shareholder.

Gibbon, an Australian-based businessman with an impressive track record in investment banking, private equity and venture capital, is best known for his early investment in WiseTech Global, a leading Australian software company, and is a respected figure in the global investment community. 

Gibbon’s decision to invest in the Highlanders reflects his long-standing passion for the region, having been born and educated in Otago-Southland, and his belief in the potential of the club.

“The Highlanders are more than just a rugby team; they’re a symbol of their community’s spirit and resilience,” Gibbon said.

“I believe in the potential of this region, and I’m excited to play a role in helping the Highlanders continue to grow and succeed. We have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the club and the community, and I’m eager to be part of that journey.”

The majority shareholders in the Highlanders remain chairman Peter Kean and Shane Drummond. The remaining shareholders are Gibbon, the Marc Ellis syndicate, the Chris Gallaher syndicate and the Southland, North Otago and Otago provincial unions.

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