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. -
Rupert Taylor - CEO
23 years experience in equity and debt capital markets both raising finance and investing in assets. Experience founding and scaling businesses to exit.
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Paolo Toffolo - COO
Padel / Tennis 5yrs+ experience developing pupils at Academy in Spain. Founded & ran European multi sports tours & events business for 15 years.
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Carson Russell - Chief Sports Officer
Over 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 with international experience.
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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 the industry’s leading booking app. -
JJ Tait - Operations
Established the first Padel focused business in Scotland in 2014.
12 years experience managing Edinburgh Sports & Padel club. -
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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Jessica Windsor - Marketing & Communications
10 years of experience working within marketing, communications and PR.
Contact: jessica@smashpadel.co
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Miguel Caramalho - Padel Development Manager
Holds a bachelor's degree in Sports Science and also earned a Master's Degree in Sports Training. Over 6 years dedicated to coaching, recognised by the Portuguese Padel Federation and is an active member of the British Padel Coaches Association.