Slough Town have entered a strategic investment partnership with Kuwait-based Development Holding Company (DH) that will bring fresh money into the first-team playing budget this season. Announced on 23 October, the agreement also outlines backing for the National League South club’s wider long-term development and sets out a path for DH to eventually become majority owner. Neither party has revealed the financial value of the deal.
The agreement brings immediate changes at boardroom level. DH founder and chief executive Talal Al Ajmi takes over as Slough’s chairman. He replaces Mike Lightfoot, who has stepped down as chairman and director to become Honorary Life President. Ashley Smith stays on as chief executive alongside the rest of the current directors.
Ownership structure and competing timelines
Under the planned deal, DH intends to buy an initial 25 per cent stake in the club’s parent company, A23 Football Group. That shareholding is scheduled to increase in stages until DH holds a 70 per cent majority stake.
A clear difference exists between the two official statements regarding how quickly that transfer will finish. Slough Town’s official announcement states that the remaining share purchases will happen over the next two years. In contrast, DH’s public release describes a staged takeover lasting three years. Neither side has explained why the two timelines do not match.
Slough spent nearly a year searching for an investment partner to help fund both its football operations and broader off-field plans. Upon taking the chair, Al Ajmi noted that his aim is to build on the club’s existing foundations rather than starting from scratch.
Managerial change and on-pitch challenges
Securing extra funds for this season’s playing squad is the club’s immediate focus as it tries to recover from a tough start to the campaign. Two days before the investment news broke, on 21 October, Slough appointed Steve McKimm as manager. Barry Moore joined him as assistant manager, with Mark Watson arriving as first-team coach. McKimm’s past work includes winning promotion to the National League South with Tonbridge Angels and claiming the Isthmian League South East Division title at Cray Valley Paper Mills.
The new management team began with a 1-3 home loss to Dorking Wanderers on 24 October. Ruben Shakpoke put Slough ahead in the 15th minute. George Nikaj pulled Dorking level early in the second half before goals from James McShane and Josh Barrett sealed the visitors’ win, showing the scale of the task facing McKimm on the pitch.
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Facility plans and unanswered questions
Beyond the men’s first team, the partnership is designed to support the club’s academy, player pathway, community programmes and ongoing work at Arbour Park. It also covers the proposed Tamblyn Fields Community Sports Hub. In September, Slough confirmed a 30-year lease on Tamblyn Fields at Upton Court Park, where the club hopes to build a facility for its academy, junior sides, women’s and girls’ teams, and local community use.
While the agreement promises an immediate lift for the playing budget and a route to new majority control, several major questions remain open. The total investment sum is still private, and the board has not set a target date for promotion.
How the new partnership is judged will depend on whether the extra money improves the squad, whether McKimm can turn results around and whether the proposed work at Arbour Park and Tamblyn Fields moves from planning into reality.
