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As one of the most recognisable entrepreneurs in the UK, Theo Paphitis is equally at home in the world of sport as he is the boardroom. Theo spent eight years as the Chairman of Millwall FC, taking the club out of administration and into the Championship, an FA Cup Final and European football. Along with football, he closely follows many sports and was co-founder of sports marketing company Movie & Media Sports with Ian Childs.

Theo made his name reviving the fortunes of notable high street names such as Ryman, Partners the Stationers, Stationery Box, La Senza and Contessa Lingerie and is now the chairman and owner of Ryman Stationery, holding the same position at Robert Dyas having bought the homewares specialist chain in 2012. Theo was previously the joint owner of Red Letter Days alongside fellow TV Dragon Peter Jones and, having sold his lingerie interests in 2006 Theo returned to the industry in 2011 when launching the international lingerie brand Boux Avenue. In 2015 the Theo Paphitis Retail Group was launched which encompassed the three retail brands Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue. London Graphic Centre joined the group in 2016.

As well as being a high profile entrepreneur Theo is a familiar face to millions from his time on the hit BBC TV show Dragons’ Den and regularly appears on primetime news and entertainment shows varying from Question Time to Top Gear. Theo is also Chancellor of Solent University.

For more than three decades Mark Blundell has honed his expertise in the upper echelons of elite global sport, firstly in a professional sporting career, then TV pundit and in more recent years, as a successful businessman.

Mark started his sporting career at just 14, and for nearly 20 years he competed at the very top of world motorsport, including Formula One, IndyCar and World Rally. His wins even include the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. From 2001 through to 2008, he was integral to ITV’s multi BAFTA award winning presenting team for Formula One.

Across the last fifteen years Mark has established himself as one of the Europe's most respected and recognised motorsport managers through his role as CEO of leading sports management and marketing group, MBP.

Alex’s role encompasses much of the day-to-day operations of the company, overseeing MBP’s commercial, communications and logistical procedures. This role includes coordinating the MBP Official Partner Programme as well as managing existing commercial relationships between our clients and their partners, seeking to ensure value is maximised in all directions. Alex is also responsible for leading the in-house communications and PR team.​

While combining his studies with his role at MBP, Alex graduated from the University of Bath with a first-class honours degree and won the National British Olympic Association award for undergraduate academic excellence. Away from work, Alex remains an avid cricketer and footballer in his spare time.

Ian is a keen sportsman with a passion to connect sport and business. From a formal marketing background in the FMCG and motor industry Ian has spent most of his working life in and around the sports environment.

His early days as Commercial Manager at Surrey Cricket Club and General Manager of Sports & Outdoor Media led to the development of a valuable networking base.

Ian then co-founded Movie & Media Sports with Theo Paphitis in 1989, their primary objective was to raise commercial revenue on behalf of governing bodies, clubs and associations worldwide.

Movie & Media was acquired by Octagon IPG in 2000, Ian remained with the business until 2006 and was tasked with managing their Far East and Australasian operation in the latter years. After a short sabbatical Ian consulted for Sportseen Ltd culminating in its sale to Essentially Group.

Previously Chairman of Red Letter Days, Ian continues in his role as Director for Ryman Ltd and Group Management Board Director of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group. Ian brings to MBP a tremendous network of contacts both in the commercial and sporting world.

Karen is Chief Operating Officer at Lansdowne Partners having joined the firm following the successful acquisition of CRUX in August 2023. 

Prior to the acquisition Karen was CEO for CRUX Asset Management and had held that position since early 2020, having joined CRUX as COO in 2015. She has held senior or executive roles in asset management businesses for over 25 years, including Man Group, Janus Henderson and Fidelity, both in London and Dublin.

Karen also holds the position of Chairperson and Independent Non-Executive Director for Mediolanum International Funds in Ireland and in September 2022 was appointed as a Non-Executive Director on the board of the Investment Association, the UK trade body for the Investment Management sector. Karen also is a member of the FCA Small Business Practitioner Panel representing the Asset Management sector for the UK regulator. 

Karen holds a Masters in Business Administration from Durham University.

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