| Simon Vumbaca | |
| Website: | asvpo.comsimonvumbaca.com |
| Occupation: | Strategy, special affairs, investment/ private equity – advisor – solicitor and international lawyer, music producer |
| Education: | Université Panthéon Assas (Paris II), Regent's University London |
Simon Vumbaca is the principal of London-based private investment office ASV Private Office.[1] Previously a dual-qualified lawyer, Vumbaca is a motorsports personality, non-executive director for Sunderland and formerly the British Basketball League (BBL). He was a CEO and co-founder of Pit Stop Betting until 2019, when he sold the company. He represents the Bahrain International Circuit in its negotiations in motorsports and also represented Saudi Arabia in the deal that brought Formula 1 to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Vumbaca is also the owner of music production company Firesound Music, who notably represent the Bunny Wailer catalogue. Bunny Wailer was a member of the legendary reggae group Bob Marley and the Wailers.
After selling ASV Law in 2020, Vumbaca launched a new private investment firm under the name ASV Private Office. The firm has a particular focus on the sports, entertainment, infrastructure, energy, technology and healthcare sectors. In a press release, the firm stated its goals are to “reimagine the private investment model”.[2]
In 2011, Vumbaca established ASV Law,[3] an international law firm based in Knightsbridge, London. It specialises in delivering corporate, commercial and litigation advice.[4]
Notably, Vumbaca has worked with: the FIA, FIM, Formula One circuits and teams, Moto GP, football clubs and players, high-profile athletes including Pietro Sibello and Kriss Akabusi, and notable musicians and TV personalities including Bunny Wailer and Melanie Sykes.[5] [6] [7]
In 2018, Vumbaca and ASV Law represented Madrox partners in the purchase of Sunderland from Ellis Short for £40 million, after back-to-back relegations saw the club plummet from the Premier League down to the third-tier.[8] [9]
Vumbaca has been published and is the recipient of multiple awards for his work in law which are detailed below:
| Awards[10] | |
|---|---|
| AI 2020 Leading Advisor Awards – Leading complex cross-border Litigation and Arbitration Lawyer of the Year and Arbitration Lawyer of the Year[11] | |
| Advisory Excellence 2020 – Certificate of Excellence[12] | |
| Corporate NTL 2020 Litigation Law Firm of the Year, England | |
| Spears500 – Top Recommended 2020 | |
| Global Law Experts 2021 Recommended Experts | |
| Global Law Experts 2021 Recommended Law Firm |
Vumbaca is the co-founder of Pit Stop Betting which was unveiled by the Motorsports Network in 2018. In October 2018, Pit Stop Betting was named the official betting partner of the UK's racing series, the Bennets British Superbike championship.[13] Vumbaca went on to sell the company in 2019.[14]
Vumbaca was retained since 2010 by the Bahrain International Circuit to represent the international company as a whole in its negotiations in Formula 1 and other international series, such as WEC and the like . Vumbaca also represented Saudi Arabia in the deal that brought Formula 1 to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.[15]
On May 6, 2021, Sunderland announced a quartet of new board members including Vumbaca, Juan Sartori, Steve Davison and Maurice Louis-Dreyfus.[16] Vumbaca is currently non-executive Director at Sunderland.[17]
In a statement, Sunderland announced that Vumbaca would "support SAFC's existing executive team in carrying out the clubs long-term strategic objectives on and off the pitch, whilst further strengthening and undepinning the foundations put in place throughout the first part of 2021."
Sunderland returned to the Championship, following their successful play-off campaign in May 2022. They enjoyed an 18-game unbeaten run spanning over six months.[18]
Vumbaca has been a trustee and executive committee member of the British Basketball League.[19] Following long time BBL chairman Paul Blake's decision to step down in 2013, Vumbaca joined Ed Percival as a member of the executive committee. Vumbaca commented that he was "delighted to have been asked to continue assisting the BBL in its continued development and it is with great pleasure that I accepted the position".[20] Vumbaca has also sat as head of appeals for the BBL appeal panel.[21]
Vumbaca is a passionate sailboat racer competing in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race, a biennial yacht race, which is the world's largest offshore race.[22]
Vumbaca is the owner of Firesound Music specialising in music production, publication and promotion. The company represents Solomonic Productions Label, Naki Wailer, and the Bunny Wailer catalogue. Recently Firesound partnered with Naki Wailer to produce "Follow the Leader", co-produced by Naki Wailer himself, along with guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Simone “Chuka” Simpson, and Simon Vumbaca.[23]