Trustees

Trustee

Mark’s character stems from being a Royal Marine Commando who chose corporate finance as his end-of-service career change.

After gaining significant experience and qualifications working for a well-known Plc (which has since merged into what is now 3i), he then founded numerous pioneering leisure businesses, including Reebok Sports Clubs (now Third Space).

Mark attracted international headlines, as the European owner of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, for litigating against members of an Asian royal family for breach of contract and winning a substantial High Court financial order. He became an unwitting litigation and litigation investment funding SME, which included him giving evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee. Mark is now a principal of a multi-billion-dollar helicopter infrastructure undertaking in the Middle East with a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Mark is also a commercially qualified and experienced all-weather helicopter pilot who, while immersed in business, founded the first civil SAR helicopter operation. In honour of this philanthropic achievement, The Post Office issued a first-class stamp in his name. Additionally, in acknowledgement of his military, business and philanthropic achievements he was nominated for a “Lifetime Achievement Award’, from the British Ex-Forces in Business Awards.

Mark is no stranger to charitable functions, having also been Chairman of a long-standing children’s charity that, during his tenure, required and benefited from his business experience and leadership.