Nahed Ojjeh, who is not known to have any previous connection to Cordiant, paid £235,00 for her 2% stake, which was acquired above the market price.
As one website about Ojjeh and the family she belongs to, which has links to TAG Heuer and the McLaren Formula 1 team, asks: "Who exactly is Madame Nahed Ojjeh?"
Her name appears more and more often in the chess world, although she is married to Akram Ojjeh, a Syrian-born Saudi Arabian entrepreneur who has connections with Middle Eastern governments and acts as an intermediary in arms dealing.
Born in Syria, Madame Ojjeh lives in Paris where she dedicates herself to the promotion of chess and is regarded as the greatest international sponsor of "the royal game".
In London, she has connections to the Einstein Group, which owns the einstein.tv television channel and describes itself as a worldwide multimedia brand dedicated to science, technology and lifelong learning... and chess.
Last year, Ojjeh took charge of the traditional Paris Caissa Chess Club, and in March 2002 organised her first classical chess super tournament.
"I am convinced that chess, as part of our education and development, can help to make the individual less violent and helps to chase away one's demons," Ojjeh says on the website.
It is understood that the shares she bought in Cordiant were acquired before the offer was made final by WPP and she has offered no statement as to what she intends with her holding.
The naming of Madame Ojjeh came as Active Value yet again increased its stake in Cordiant, raising it to 28.75% with the purchase of another 6m shares. Yesterday, it raised its stake to 27.41% as it purchased another tranche of 1m shares.
It makes the fourth tranche of shares it has bought this week. Earlier in the week, the fund manager bought two 1m tranche of shares in Cordiant, taking its holding in the company to 27.1%.
Despite the continued increase in its holdings, it is refusing to shed any light on what its next move will be in the battle for Cordiant.
On Monday, WPP Group has said that its offer for Cordiant was final and that it will not increase the £266m it has put on the table.
It had been thought that Active Value was agitating to force WPP to increase its offer -- a hope now dashed.
Active Value has more than enough shares to block WPP's bid, which requires the support of 75% of shareholders.
Cordiant shareholders will now meet on July 23 where they will vote on WPP's offer and an alternative bid by Active Value to keep Cordiant independent.
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