The deal will see the 20% of Havas owned by Bollore Investissement combined with the 4% owned by Sebastian Holdings. Bollore said that the move would provide long-term stability at the French group.
The deal will initially last for two years, and requires Sebastian Holdings to sell its share in Havas to Bollore if it should decide to dispose of its stake.
Bollore is using the move to underline previous claims that he has invested in Havas for the long term -- contrary to Vincent Bollore's reputation for being a corporate raider.
In a statement released by Bollore Group, the company hit back at criticism made by Havas chairman and CEO Alain de Pouzilhac that Bollore's manoeuvring over the past nine months and refusal to outline his plans for Havas had caused instability.
"Bollore Investissement has, in its capacity as an industrialist, clearly indicated its long-term interest in Havas... It now has a stable shareholder that puts to an end a period of uncertainty and will let it develop."
Despite moves from De Pouzilhac to block Bollore from taking seats on the board of Havas, Bollore won the support of shareholders in the company last Thursday and won four places. He has since said that he wants De Pouzilhac to stay at the company, but warned that Havas would be able to carry on without him.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Sebastian Holdings is based in Turks and Caicos Islands and is controlled by a Norwegian called Alexander Vik.
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