Heart of Midlothian Football Club has announced a significant investment proposal from Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton & Hove Albion, who is seeking to inject £9.86 million into the Edinburgh club in exchange for a 29% stake via non-voting shares.
The proposed deal is now entering a crucial consultation period with the Foundation of Hearts (FoH), the supporters’ group that holds the majority shareholding in the club.
During this period, FoH members will be presented with the full details of the proposal and invited to vote on whether to accept the investment. For the deal to progress, a majority of FoH members must approve the plan.
If the proposal receives the necessary backing, an Extraordinary General Meeting of all club shareholders will be convened to formally approve the transaction. The deal also remains subject to legal agreements, Scottish FA approval, and standard regulatory checks.
Key Details of the Proposal
- Tony Bloom’s £9.86m investment would secure him a 29% stake in Hearts, but only through non-voting shares, ensuring that FoH’s control-currently 75.1% of voting rights-remains unaffected.
- Bloom will not take a seat on the board himself but will appoint a representative. He will not be involved in the club’s day-to-day operations.
- The Foundation of Hearts board is recommending members vote in favour, describing the offer as an “unprecedented opportunity” to further the club’s ambitions and disrupt the Scottish football landscape.
- The investment is a personal one by Bloom and is not linked to his other football interests in Brighton or Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The deal explicitly rules out Hearts becoming part of a multi-club system or acting as a feeder club.
The funds are earmarked to strengthen the first-team squad and support the club’s long-term sustainability, reducing reliance on external benefactors and maximising earning potential. Bloom’s analytics firm, Jamestown Analytics, is already working with Hearts on recruitment and transfers.
The consultation with FoH members runs until 26 May, after which a vote will be held. Should the proposal pass, the club will move to finalise the legal and regulatory processes required to complete the investment.
