LONDON: Following a meeting with recently appointed Aegis Group chairman John Napier, French corporate raider Vincent Bolloré (pictured) is reportedly "more confident" of gaining the two seats on the board of the media and research group for which he has long agitated.

Napier, currently doubling as Aegis ceo after the abrupt departure of former incumbent Robert Lerwill, is said to have had a meeting of minds with Bolloré, who holds a 29.9% stake in Aegis and also controls French marketing services conglomerate Havas.

Although neither man has revealed details of their heart-to-heart, it is almost certain that Bolloré will again seek – and with Lerwill despatched, this time get – representation on the Aegis board.

It's also likely that the Bolloré-Napier conversation will have touched on the likelihood of a closer relations between Aegis and Havas.

Observers believe that the purpose of Napier's recent shoo-in by the moneymen has now become clear.

Data sourced from mrweb.com; additional content by WARC staff