02 / selected ventures
Things I’ve built, bought or backed.
Seven ventures across twenty-nine years. Three of them are live today, four are chapters that have closed. Both lists are here, because the mistakes taught me more than the wins.
Now
where I put my time · 03 live
Boards I sit on and businesses I’m actively backing. All hospitality tech, all doing something truly innovative.
05
Joli
Shareholder & NED · Hospitality tech
The influencer marketing and UGC platform for hospitality, with 9,500+ vetted UK creators across 48 cities.
06
Openr
Shareholder & NED · Hospitality tech
Menu and pricing management for multi-site hospitality: update once, publish everywhere.
07
Candid Hospitality
Chairman · Hospitality
The dating app for hospitality careers: anonymous, no CVs, no bias. 100+ brands have gone Candid.
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Built and exited
closed chapters · 1997 to 2026
The venue, the juggling years, and the two companies I spent the longest building. Two exits, one near-bankruptcy, plenty learned.
01
The Deep End
Founder · Live music venue
A 600-capacity venue in a converted swimming baths in Hillsborough, Sheffield. Bought at 22, backed with a £500k guarantee.
02
The Juggling Years
Founder · Bars, label, supply
A record label, a spirits bar, the Art:Room, a beer supply business and a pub lease. Seven companies at once.
03
Airship
Co-founder & CEO · Hospitality CRM
The UK’s leading hospitality CRM. Founded as PowerText in 2001; pivoted from near-bankruptcy to SaaS as CEO in 2018.
04
Toggle
Founder · Gifting & experiences
Gift cards, experiences and tickets for hospitality. £60m+ in seasonal sales, and a £1m week at its peak.