RIO Ferdinand has revealed how a dinner with friends led to him investing in a Manchester-based delivery business.
The former United and England footballer says becoming an investor in DeliveryApp earlier this year has given him an 'extra' reason to visit the city outside of football.
Speaking exclusively to the M.E.N., the TV pundit said the idea of investing in the company was pitched to him over a dinner with co-founder Lance Jones and Mark Stott, the owner of Stockport County and property developer Vita Group.
The company is based at Bonded Warehouse and run by chief executive Dwain McDonald, the long-serving CEO of parcel delivery giant DPD.
"We met up for dinner and DeliveryApp was presented to me and I just love it," Rio said.
"I think it's a great model and there is a real need for a driver-friendly proposition which also brings a bit of transparency in terms of deliveries and getting things from A to B."
Delivery App has a growing number of employees and its customers have included the likes of Wren Kitchens, DPD and Dreams.
As well as CEO Dwain McDonald, the company's top team includes co-founder and chief operations officer Gemma Taylor and co-founder Lance Jones as executive chairman.
Rio also said the team that runs DeliveryApp was a major factor in his decision to back the business.
He said: "I do quite a lot of tech investing and I love the team behind DeliveryApp, which is an important factor when I'm investing.
This story is from the August 02, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 02, 2023 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Eriksen confirms no talks with Reds over new contract
CHRISTIAN Eriksen has confirmed he has not held talks with United over a new deal.
ONE OF CLUB'S BEST SIGNINGS
ONE of the best signings of the City era is leaving.
SALE SET PACE FOR DERBY WIN
SALE'S league-leading set piece earned them a ruthless 43-10 win over Newcastle Falcons in the Northern derby.
PM keen to harness identities of regions
THE Council of the Nations and Regions has moved the UK \"a long way down the road\" towards more jobs and investment, the Prime Minister has said.
Peacekeepers hit again
THE United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has said new explosions hit its headquarters yesterday morning, injuring two peacekeepers, a day after Israeli forces struck the same position.
Life for killer who hid her dead parents
AN \"INTELLIGENT manipulator\" who murdered her parents then lived alongside their bodies for four years while spending their money has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years.
No cash to fix 'decrepit' Strangeways
PRISON GOVERNORS' ASSOCIATION SAYS JAIL STAFF NEED 'MASSIVE INVESTMENT' TO TACKLE FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AND ORGANISED CRIME GROUPS
First new buzz route restores missing link
BUSES between Wigan and the Trafford Centre will double to run every 30 minutes instead of an hour later this month, it's been revealed.
Council's £200k winter fuel boost for pensioners
THE creation of a new fund of £200,000 to support local pensioners hit by the winter fuel payment cuts has been passed by Bolton council.
Rivals rubbish £45 charge for collecting garden waste
PLANS SLAMMED AS 'TAX ON POOR AND VULNERABLE'