David Beckham is hoping to score big in the consumer health and wellness category.
The former England footballer and husband of Spice Girl turned beauty entrepreneur Victoria Beckham has invested in Prenetics, a Hong Kong-based health sciences company.
Prenetics and Beckham intend to co-found a new health and wellness brand, called IM8.
Details of the brand will be announced at a later date, but Prenetics said IM8 would focus on “cutting-edge” consumer health products.
“Throughout my life and career, I’ve been fortunate to have access to the best medical professionals, nutrition experts and fitness coaches,” said Beckham.
“Their guidance has been crucial to my health and wellbeing.
“That’s why I am excited to be working with Prenetics, a company that is dedicated to innovative, world-leading scientific advancements in health, as a co-founding partner and ambassador for IM8.”
CEO and co-founder of Prenetics Danny Yeung added that the partnership “marks a transformative era for Prenetics”.
“Working closely with David these past months, I’ve been consistently inspired by his vision for accessible health for all.
“His passion and commitment are truly extraordinary.
“With IM8, we have a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the consumer health and wellness industry.”
IM8 will lead Prenetics’ consumer initiative.
The company’s clinical division is led by Insighta, a US$200m joint venture with scientist Professor Dennis Lo, which focuses on multi-cancer early detection technologies.
A new website, im8health.com, has already gone live, teasing that IM8 club membership is available for exclusive content and advice from scientific experts.
Beckham’s long history in beauty
IM8 marks Beckham’s first foray into health and wellness, but the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is a veteran when it comes to lifestyle and grooming.
Having first partnered with L’Oréal-owned Biotherm Homme in 2016, Beckham unveiled his debut male grooming and skin care collection, House 99, in 2018.
The co-owner of Inter Miami joined forces with L’Oréal Luxe to create the product line, which reportedly took two years to develop.
However, the label appears to have been discontinued, with no official website and zero posts on its 134k-follower Instagram account @house99.
In 2023, Beckham launched fragrance range The Collection, which initially sold via US department store chain JCPenney before rolling-out to retailers across the US at the start of this year.
The announcement coincided with Victoria Beckham Beauty (the 2019-launched brand co-founded by the former Spice Girl) teasing its first trio of fragrances.
Coty has licensed David Beckham fragrances globally since early 2005.
In addition to The Collection, the football star’s fragrance portfolio includes Instinct and Respect.
Intimately, meanwhile, is a sensual edt that was originally conceived as a his-and-hers duo with Victoria.
In the 1990s, Beckham was credited for spiking interest in male grooming, inspiring the term ‘metrosexual’ to describe hetrosexual men adopting skin and hair care rituals.
Beckham’s fashion industry work includes modelling stints with Emporio Armani Underwear and a 2024 multi-year design collaboration with Hugo Boss for its Boss Menswear collections.
The 49-year-old is also Ambassadorial President of the British Fashion Council.
