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Our Team
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Simon Champ - Founder
30 years of experience raising equity and debt finance. Former Founder and CEO of FTSE 250 listed investment trust P2PGI and co-founder of Liberum investment bank.
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Rupert Taylor - CEO
23 years of experience in equity and debt capital markets, both raising finance and investing in assets. Also has experience founding and scaling businesses to exit.
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Carson Russell - Chief Commercial Officer
30+ years in sport including playing first-class rugby alongside a career with Hays PLC. Former CEO of London Scottish RFC and a level 3 qualified RFC coach.
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Marcus Ballyn - Operating Manager
30+ years in the leisure and hospitality industry in UK, India and the Middle East. Played top level in a number of sports and had the privilege to represent England in hockey. Managed the opening of the UK’s largest padel centre.
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Jessica Windsor - Marketing & Communications
10+ years of experience in marketing, communications and PR in the UK & Asia. Contact: jessica@smashpadel.co
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Miguel Caramalho - Padel Development Manager
Master's Degree in Sports Trainin and 7+ years dedicated to coaching, recognised by the Portuguese Padel Federation and an active member of the British Padel Coaches Association.
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Patrick Neville - Real Estate
30+ years as a surveyor, adding finance and restructuring skills at RBS and DTZ, before founding RED in 2012 and serving as an outsourced real estate function to numerous corporates.
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Jo Buchanan Smith - NED
20+ years as a consultant to governing bodies developing infrastructure at sporting events. Former UK Development officer for Playtomic.
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JJ Tait - NED
Established the first Padel focused business in Scotland in 2014. 12 years experience managing Edinburgh Sports & Padel club.