Old Mutual Wealth Backs Rugby Internationals
Old Mutual Wealth will become a principal partner of England Rugby from 2016 as title sponsor of the men’s and women’s Autumn Internationals, which will become known as the Old Mutual Wealth Series from 2016.
It will be the first principal partnership to cover both teams’ autumn matches, with the England senior team playing four consecutive Tests against South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Fiji.
Eddie Jones’ side will start against South Africa on 12th November, host Fiji on 19th November, with World Cup semi-finalists Argentina a week later, before the international season ends on 3rd December against Australia.
England women will play home fixtures against France and Canada, which will see the team’s fixture against Canada taking place at Twickenham Stadium following the Argentina International.
The Old Mutual Wealth brand will be visible at all match venues, including on perimeter advertising, post protectors and all match ticketing material.
The deal also includes title sponsorship of England men’s annual May fixture which from 2016 will become the Old Mutual Wealth Cup, a capped match against Wales on 29th May, and title sponsorship of a new grass roots campaign, to be launched next year.
Paul Feeney, CEO of Old Mutual Wealth, commented: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with English Rugby. It’s a wonderful and rewarding sport. One which manages, uniquely, to bring together extreme passion and mutual respect.
“As a new breed of wealth manager, we admire that combination and seek to emulate it in our business. We are building Old Mutual Wealth for those who want to make a positive difference, for themselves, their families and their communities.
“We hope that our involvement with the sport will go beyond the branding, to build the sport and help it prosper.”
Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, said: “We are delighted to welcome Old Mutual Wealth to the RFU family in an expanded partnership. As one of the UK’s leading wealth management businesses, they have a fantastic heritage and it’s great to have them make this commitment to men’s and women’s rugby in England. We look forward to building on that with them over the next four years.”
England players Mike Brown, Joe Launchbury and Sarah Hunter unveiled the partnership at Twickenham Stadium on 2nd December.
