
Who we are
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Spanish heart, British life!
I traded sunshine for rain and found love, (and roast dinners), along the way. People ask “What are you doing here? Don’t you miss the weather?” The answer is in my heart: I fell for a charming Englishman (yes, love knows no borders). Like any true Spaniard, Sundays in our home are a delicious blend of paella (without chorizo) and a roast dinner.
Sports have been part of my life for as long as I can remember, it’s in my DNA. I’ve always been ambitious, always pushing myself to give my best. That drive, by a lucky twist of fate, led me to discover Smash Padel, and what a brilliant coincidence it was! I’ve always had a special connection with kids and now I get to share the fun with them! At Smash Padel, my mission is to make the sport fun, exciting, and most importantly, inclusive. Everyone deserves to feel welcome on the court, no matter their background or ability. Doing what I love and calling it work? Not bad for a Spaniard in England! Alicia Munoz, Assistant Manager, Whitstable
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Part of something bigger
Inclusivity is something I’m really passionate about—it shapes everything I do, both at work and in my personal life. I believe that everyone deserves to feel valued, respected, and treated fairly so we can create a more positive, supportive society where mental and physical well-being can thrive. Sport has always played a huge role in my life, and that’s why I love padel. It’s the ultimate social sport—fun, welcoming, and perfect for players of all levels. The sense of community and inclusivity it brings is special. My goal is to create spaces where everyone, no matter their background or ability, feels welcome and is part of something bigger. Ben Cox, Assistant Manager, Bicester
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New mum returning to sport & work
Finding my way back into sport after my first pregnancy was hard. Nervous to go back to tennis, I looked for something with less impact and where I could make new friends. Padel was perfect. And I can’t wait to get my little one involved as soon as I can! Joining the Smash team allows me to work towards something I am truly passionate about and has helped my wellbeing immensely in this stage of my life. Jessica, Head of Marketing & Communications
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Helping young people is my passion
Working with disadvantaged youngsters over the world gave me a sense of appreciation that has impacted my life ever since. If I’m down, angry, frustrated or sad or any of those negative emotions, I stop and try to think of them and put my whole life into perspective. Valuing what I have at home with my family and children and the opportunity to influence young people is something I’m ever thankful for and I love being able to do that now through padel. Jo, Coach Education Manager
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Building great teams through trust
Trust and commitment are the foundation of my relationship with my wife, as well as having fun. Knowing that we can rely on each other creates a bond that only strengthens with time. That same sense of trust, long-term connection and enjoyment is what I value most in my work—building positive relationships that last, where reliability and honesty create something truly meaningful over time. Carson, Chief Commercial Officer
Smash Padel Team
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Craig- Centre Manager (Whitstable)
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Alicia - Assistant Manager (Whitstable)
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Daniella- Centre Manager (Oxford)
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Guadalupe- Padel coach (Oxford & Bicester)
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Gordon- Junior Academy Manager (Bicester)
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Louisa- Assistant Manager (Oxford)
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Ben- Assistant Manager (Bicester)
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Miguel- Head of Padel
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Edgar- Padel Activator (Bicester)
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Josh - Junior Padel Activator (Bicester)
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Josh- Padel Activator (Bicester)
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Gary - Centre Manager (Bicester)
HQ 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 represented England in hockey.
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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 - Head of Padel
Master's Degree in Sports Training. 7+ years of 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 & Coach Education Manager
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.
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Tom Moore - Advisor
20+ years experience in media, digital and tech. 16 years at Google leading partnerships with the UK’s largest advertisers and driving growth through use of data, digital and AI.