IT has been revealed that a consortium that owns a 25-35 per cent stake in Bolton Wanderers has within its ranks leading executives from Trafigura – one of the world’s largest suppliers of metals, minerals and energy.

Little had been known about the make up of BMLL Limited, who had been known as a “Swiss consortium” when they first purchased shares in Wanderers’ parent company, Football Ventures (Whites) Limited in 2022 and increased their stake over the following 12 months.

Australian, Nick Luckock, a member of the Football Ventures board had been the only named director at Companies House, but a feature from business news agency Bloomberg has revealed that one of the leading members of the consortium is his brother, Ben Luckock, who is the global head of oil at the Trafigura Group.

BMLL Ltd is comprised of 25 families, many of whom are executives at Trafigura, and their financial input has helped to support Wanderers in their effort to reach the Championship this season.

Based in Switzerland, Singapore, the US, Uruguay and India, Trafigura is the world’s largest private metals trader and the second-largest oil trader having built or purchased stakes in pipelines, mines, smelters, ports and storage terminals.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Ben Luckock said the investors were happy to avoid the limelight, leaving Nick Luckock to liaise with the club’s chairman, Sharon Brittan, and other FV directors, such as Michael James and other silent investors, such as Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

“We’re willing to be very much in the background,” he said. “I’ve got a huge amount of trust in my brother and zero interest in delving into any control aspects.” Wanderers are currently challenging at the top end of League One with a view to returning to Championship level for the first time in five years.

Many supporters have voiced concerns over how the club will compete at a level of football which is notoriously draining on finances, but Luckock gave some words of reassurance that the investors are well informed of the extra demands that might be needed.

“Everyone’s in for the journey and is aware that it costs more to run a Championship club,” he said. “You need to look at what you are doing with recruiting and trade sensibly.

Saad Rahim, Trafigura’s chief economist, is also a part of the group and says they have been struck by the opportunity of restoring one of the Football League’s founder members, which had fallen as far as League Two in 2020.

“We are all part of it – it is a real turnaround for us, it is a really big thing for the community there,” he said.

“We have gone up there for a few games and you look at how important it is to that fanbase to come back from the absolute bottom to where we are today. It’s hopefully looking good.”

A group of 80 people from BMLL Ltd watched Wanderers beat Plymouth Argyle at Wembley in last season’s Papa Johns Trophy, and Ben Luckock says many of the families’ children are now wearing Wanderers shirts around Geneva.

“You can’t overestimate the value we are getting through our kids,” he said. “Everybody feels good about the investment.”