Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based COO’ operating in the Marketing space. If you think a COO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Dom Devlin
Chief Operating Officer of Fospha Marketing
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About Fospha Marketing: The Direct to Consumer Growth Platform
Daniel Sagi
COO of Kape Technologies
COO at Crossrider
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About Kape Technologies: Kape Technologies is an online distribution and digital product hub.
Joe Bachle-Morris
Co-Founder and COO of Admix
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About Admix: Admix is the first programmatic monetisation platform for in-game advertising
Richard Evetts
COO of Bink
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About Bink: Bink develops a mobile application that links card payment to loyalty schemes.
Gareth Jones
Chief Operating Officer of Playdemic
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About Playdemic: Playdemic is a gaming company that develops social games for mass market audiences.
Jim Hytner
Global Chief Operating Officer of IPG Mediabrands
Jim understands what needs to be done to get results for our network and clients. He’s held a variety of roles within UM, Initiative and most recently served as CEO IPG Mediabrands G-14 and President, Global Clients, where he held responsibility for brands headquartered outside of the US, including AB InBev, Unilever and BMW. Jim is a graduate of Wharton Business School, a proud Trustee of Comic Relief, the Chairman of Logan Sports, a member of the Commercial Committee at BAFTA.
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About IPG Mediabrands: IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance, and digital innovation solutions.
Karen Peett
EA to Global COO & EMEA CEO of IPG Mediabrands
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About IPG Mediabrands: IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance, and digital innovation solutions.
Gianluca Carrera
COO of Reward Insight
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About Reward Insight: Reward is a global data monetisation company that helps the worlds largest banks and retailers understand and change consumer behaviour
Gummi Eggertsson
Co-Founder,COO & CFO of Takumi
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About Sidekick Health, Takumi: Takumi is a platform that gives large brands and advertising agencies access to branded influencer creative at scale.
Steve Butterworth
Partner & Chief Operating Officer of Kameleon
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About Kameleon: Kameleon is an award-winning Content Marketing agency
Chris Taylor
Chief Operating Officer of Telegraph Media Group
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About Telegraph Media Group: Telegraph Media Group is a multi-media news publisher behind The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph newspapers.
Rachel Davis
Co-Founder & COO of Hurree
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About Hurree: Hurree is a mobile marketing and engagement platform.
Jo Parker
COO of Chime Communications PLC
Jo was a founding member of Teamspirit, the financial services specialist, full service agency that became part of Chime in 1999 and has worked in specialist agencies for over 25 years. She has always believed that specialist agencies best service clients that work in complex markets. She is a passionate advocate of integrated marketing and has developed Teamspirit’s offering to cover paid, earned and owned media. Seven years ago she set up Teamspirit Public Relations of which she is Chairman, which is now the second largest Financial Services PR agency in the UK. She is CEO of the Chime Specialist Group, a group of six specialist agencies that cover financial services, TMT, sustainability and media planning. Jo also chairs Chime’s Youth Board and is on the Advisory Board of the Financial Services Forum.
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About Chime Communications PLC: Chime is an international communications and sports marketing group.
Raphael Queisser
COO of Dianomi
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About Dianomi: Dianomi is a global leader in content marketing.
Mark Bond
Chief Operating Officer of Croud
– Customer focussed commercial leader with B2B and Consumer P&L experience in senior sales, marketing, strategy and customer operations roles. – Experience of large scale digital transformation and numerous “turnaround’ roles. – Involved in a number of ac
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About Croud: Croud is a digital marketing agency that provides services including SEO, PPC, content, programmatic, paid social, and analytics
Mark Bond
Chief Operating Officer of Croud
– Customer focussed commercial leader with B2B and Consumer P&L experience in senior sales, marketing, strategy and customer operations roles. – Experience of large scale digital transformation and numerous “turnaround’ roles. – Involved in a number of ac
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About Croud: Croud is a digital marketing agency that provides services including SEO, PPC, content, programmatic, paid social, and analytics
Mark Howley
COO Publicis Media & CEO Starcom UK of Publicis Media
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About Publicis Media: Publicis Media India company’s specialized agencies and marketing services include interactive communication services.
Steve Denner
Founder and COO of Adestra
Steve is highly experienced in developing and delivering email solutions, having led teams responsible for bringing five email applications to market. Since co-founding Adestra, Steve is focused on ensuring Adestra’s platform continues to be today’s best email marketing system and that Adestra’s clients receive the best support.
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About Adestra: Adestra is a trusted provider of First-Person Marketing solutions for global and growing brands.
Michael Taylor
COO of Ladder
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About Ladder: Full-funnel growth marketing powered by a custom growth technology.
Stephen Joseph
COO of Ocean Outdoor
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About Ocean Outdoor: Ocean is a media advertising company specialized in designing iconic landmark large-format digital banners in super-premium locations.
Ole Fjelberg
Co-Founder & COO of Brandbassador
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About Brandbassador: Ambassadors – engage with brands to earn money, freebies and other rewards. Brands – harness the power of passionate customers and fans.
Hemant Ravishanker
COO of KF Beauty
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About KF Beauty: We identify, develop and market innovative products in the Health & Beauty sector.
Hemant Ravishanker
COO of KF Beauty
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About KF Beauty: We identify, develop and market innovative products in the Health & Beauty sector.
Tom Blah
COO of Codec
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About Codec: We help brands to discover and tap in to the pockets of culture that drive growth. Powered by award-winning AI.
Paul Fellows
COO of Partnerize
Paul brings more than 10 years of top-level product management experience to Performance Horizon Group and is driven by client success. He was one of the co-founders of the buy.at Affiliate Network in 2002 and helped lead the company through the sale to AOL, while focusing on the platform’s technical development and customized client solutions. Paul also previously served as Global Product Director for AOL, where he formed part of its Global Leadership Team.
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About Partnerize: Partnerize is the only partnership management solution for marketers seeking high quality, scalable subsidies to primary channels.
Frankie Kearney
Chief Operating Officer of Sliide
Frankie Kearney is the coo of sliide.
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About Sliide: Mobile technology company that work with MNO, MVNO and OEM partners globally to increase engagement, drive revenue, and decrease churn.
Dr Ingvar Kraatz
COO / Co-Founder of Bidnamic
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About Bidnamic, Dizinga: Bidnamic is a machine learning platform that helps retailers unlock the full potential of Google Shopping.
Joanne Lacey
Chief Operating Officer of AdInMo
20 years’+ experience in marketing, commercial and operational roles in the mobile industry. COO at InGamePlay start-up AdInMo, Advisor at MEF and Chair of Trustees at the charity Make 2nds Count.
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About AdInMo: Immersive in-game brand experiences. Programmatic in-game advertising and monetization platform
Sam Martin
Chief Operating Officer & co-founder of Peckwater Brands
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About Peckwater Brands: Peckwater Brands is a provider of delivery franchises to kitchen operators.
Diane Charlton
Chief Operating Officer of Once Upon a Time
Diane Charlton joined Once Upon A Time Marketing as Chief Operating Officer in 2013.
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About Once Upon a Time: Once Upon a Time provides impactful integrated communication solutions.
Felicity Stinton
Chief Operating Officer of Big Fish
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About Big Fish: Big Fish is a creative agency that deals with graphic design, interaction design, text and web development.
Nathalie du Preez
COO of Jellyfish
Born and raised in South Africa, Nathalie began her career in 2005 with Goldman Sachs in their investment banking division in New York. In the years since, she has worked in brand management at Colgate-Palmolive, led performance search marketing at Net-a-Porter, co-founded a start-up and, most recently, held the title of COO at on-demand beauty services company blow LTD. She holds a BSc in Economics magna cum laude from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School.
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About Jellyfish: Jellyfish is a ecommerce content production platform for online businesses.
Joshua Scotton
COO & Co-Founder of Personify XP
Josh is the brains behind Personify XP. With a PhD from the Intelligent Systems group at the University of Warwick, he has worked with some of the world’s largest companies across Retail, Finance, CPG and Travel. Josh has spent the last 10 years living out his passion for personalization, researching customer analytics, marketing and customer engagement modelling.
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About Personify XP: Personify XP uses AI and automation personalization SAAS technology to help retailers understand what their customers are shopping for.
David Bell
Chief Operating Officer of Flux Outdoor
David Bell currently serves Flux Outdoor as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Flux Outdoor, David spent one year with Juliet Rogers Limited as advertising and media consultant. He also worked with Peter Layton and Associates as marketing adviser. David Bell holds a degree in marketing management from Northumbria University.
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About Flux Outdoor: Flux is the platform for data triggered billboard advertising. We help marketers use data to buy billboard space the right moment.
Sybil Wong
COO of Sparrho
Sybil completed her PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Nottingham and Barts Cancer Institute, QMUL. Prior to joining Sparrho, Sybil was SVP Business Development & Director of OneStart, the world’s largest biotech and healthcare startup accelerator, at the Oxbridge Biotech Roundtable. Through OneStart, Sybil supported 70 budding biotech and healthcare startups from across Europe, North America and Asia, and managed partnerships with top pharma and venture firms, including SR One/GSK, Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca/MedImmune.
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About Sparrho, Synthace: Sparrho lead the world in democratising science using augmented intelligence.
Sandy Royden
Founding Partner, Joint CEO & COO of OPEN Health
A pharmacist by profession with nearly 25 years’ experience within the industry, Sandy has a great grounding in pharmaceutical marketing at a Global, European and UK domestic level. Prior to OPEN Health, Sandy worked in clinical development, sales, marketing and communications at Novartis and Sanofi, followed by 5 years at Huntsworth Health, where she headed up the European team; managing the integrated brand communications, medical communications and market research offerings. With broad experience across the communications mix, Sandy’s specific areas of focus are market access and medical communications.
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About OPEN Health: OPEN Health is a healthcare communications and market access group.
Mark Jameson
COO of BlueVenn
As CTO Mark has over 17 years’ experience in Solution and Application Development. Since 2000 Mark has presided over the development of Blue Sheep’s Extraction Transform and Load applications along with the creation of the UK Business Universe and its matching technologies. A veteran of multiple Marketing, Analysis and Modelling applications with Client Project Delivery also within his remit. Notably Mark has personal involvement with some of Blue Sheep’s largest clients and has overseen the delivery of the UK wide Public Sector B2B data environment.
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About Blue Sheep, BlueVenn: BlueVenn’s software provides real-time analysis of customer data that create highly personalized and relevant marketing campaigns.
Liz Wilson
Chief Operating Officer of Karmarama
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About Karmarama: Karmarama is a full service communications agency, combining creative excellence with technology-inspired solutions
Gill Smith
COO of Adimo
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About Adimo: Admio integrates with any form of marketing to make it shoppable.
Reggie James
Executive Director | Co-Chief Operating Officer & SVP of Marketing & Communications of Digital Brand Media & Marketing Group, Inc
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About : DBMM Group provides investment opportunity in the growing Digital Marketing & Social Media sector. Operating in NY, London & LA
Nathan Salter
COO of Optimise
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About Optimise: Global Performance Marketing Company
Mike Nott
Chief Operating Officer of Ayima
With a background in IT and System Administration, Mike was an early convert to SEO, working for various Media agencies in London before heading the Search Function at PartyGaming PLC at the time of their IPO on the FTSE in 2005. The technical and strategic lessons learned from that venture fed directly to the foundation of Ayima in 2007 with his colleagues, Mike Jacobson and Tim Webb. Mike has spearheaded Ayima ever since then, never losing sight of the company’s goal to deliver top-level expertise via superior technology and exceptional talent. He is also a strong proponent of providing a flexible environment in which experts can thrive, a factor that has helped Ayima grow into a prosperous international operation and develop industry-leading solutions for the SEO community.
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About Ayima: Ayima is a specialist Search consultancy focused on ROI, data analysis and brand development.
Laura Pollard
Chief Operating Officer of Mongoose Sports & Entertainment
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About Mongoose Sports & Entertainment, Mongoose Sports & Entertainment: Mongoose Sports & Entertainment is a specialist agency in sports and entertainment.
Mike Harty
Co-Founder, CPO and COO of PowerLinks Media
Mike Harty is Co-Founder and COO of PowerLinks Media, an open technology platform powering the creation, transaction and management of native advertising. Mike has a remarkable talent for technological innovation and entrepreneurial creativity, and a comprehensive understanding of the digital media ecosystem. His insights and expertise have led to PowerLinks’ continued success, with expansion across Europe and into the US. Mike began his entrepreneurial career in February 2012, co-founding PowerLinks with fellow graduate from the University of Leeds, Kevin Flood. Mike began his digital media career at a very young age. He cut his media teeth at just 14 years old by dabbling with affiliate marketing and classified ad sales, and has not looked back since. Mike is based in PowerLinks’ London office. Follow Mike on Twitter @Mike_Harty
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About PowerLinks Media: PowerLinks Media is an advertising platform that enables advertisers to deliver tailor-made experiences through multiple devices.
Emma Nicol
Chief Operating Officer of Kin and Carta
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About Kin and Carta: Kin + Carta is a global digital transformation business that advises, creates, and connects marketing and customer experience.
Ian McWilliams
COO & Co-founder of Inzura
Ian McWilliams is a seasoned senior executive with over 30 years experience in the Telecoms and IT market covering both the Enterprise market and Mobile Network Operators. A business developer and leader for major business divisions in global vendors such as Motorola, Lucent Technologies & Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Ian brings a wealth of maturity and experience in managing strategic relationships and running large internationally diverse teams across EMEA, AsiaPac and the Americas. Ian also has extensive experience in multiple start-up companies, covering Sales & Marketing, Business Development, Product Management, Application Development and Customer Support.
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About Inzura: Inzura’s customer engagement Apps and cloud-based services cover the major personal insurance lines.
Jon Bailey
Chief Operating Officer of Precision Proco Group
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About Precision Proco Group: Precision Proco Group is a group of industry-leading businesses united by a shared culture of innovation.
Kathryn Corrick
COO and Research Director of Represent
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About Represent: Building the tools for a better democracy.
Rodney Johnson
COO & Co-founder of Vensy
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About Vensy: Vensy is a sports marketing platform that provides a simple way for brands to discover the best athletes to sponsor.
James Lewis
COO of DigitalBridge
James Lewis is the COO at DigitalBridge.
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About DigitalBridge: DigitalBridge is a Guided Design platform that enables retailers to help their customers design and buy their dream bathroom or kitchen.
Ben Clark
COO, Board member of iPresent
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About : iPresent offers businesses with content creation and distribution services for their marketing campaigns.
Albert Millis
Co-Founder & COO of Virtual Umbrella
VR thought-leader. Twitter wizard. Business genius. Bertie is Virtual Umbrella’s COO. Responsible for project delivery. client acquisition. business proposals. and VR masterclasses. He’s at his happiest introducing people to VR for the first time and testing out the shiniest. newest tech there is. As COO of the company, he has worked on immersive technology projects with clients like Nokia, AT&T, OMD, Leo Burnett, Kaleidoscope VR, Mintel, Merge VR, Ruder Finn, Imperial War Museum, BBC, BBC Worldwide, Breaking Fourth, FCB Inferno, Psytec Games, and more. From supporting national tours of experiences like Unrest VR to helping bring huge domes filled with the very best interactive and VR tech to Edinburgh’s iconic George Street, he’s on a non-stop mission to excite audiences and businesses with the potential of immersive content. When he’s not client-side, he’s leading virtual reality workshops and talks across the world, including at prestigious industry events like VR Connects, Kaleidoscope London, and Develop:VR. In 2017, he was selected as one of the 10 foremost immersive technology experts as part of the BIMA Immersive Technologies Think Tank, designed to inspire, provoke and educate the wider BIMA membership on the power of immersive technologies. As a member of the BAFTA VR subcommittee, and a curator/consultant for a range of immersive technology exhibitions (e.g. Sheffield Doc Fest, FuturePlay, VRUK: VR Studio), Bertie’s work also allows him to take a prominent role in the development of up-and-coming industry talent, using his expertise to help highlight some of the country’s most exciting new VR content. Outside of Virtual Umbrella, Bertie is the co-founder of #HelloFounder, an online resource and support network for entrepreneurs. He has also been featured on the Yogscast Jingle Jam fundraiser for the past two years, being part of a team that raised $2.6 Million (2016) and 5.2 Million (2017) for charity.
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About Hello Founder, Virtual Umbrella: Virtual Umbrella The world’s first marketing agency for VR companies and brands. We also run awesome VR events in UK.
Simon Cole
Consultant, CFO, COO & Co-Founder of Molewood Consulting
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About Apparier, Molewood Consulting: Molewood Consulting is a private equity firm that provides management consulting and staffing services.
Mike Gadd
Chief Operating Officer of Kindred
Mike Gadd is the Chief Operating Officer at Kindred.
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About Kindred: Kindred is an impact driven tech company that has developed the world’s first sustainable app monetization network.
Tom Denning
COO of Beyond
COO at Beyond.
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About Beyond: Beyond is the Career Network, helps millions of professionals find jobs and advance their careers.
Thomas Evans
Chief Operating Officer of EmailOctopus
Tom is the COO at EmailOctopus – a new and simple online platform, which offers you a cheaper way to send your email marketing campaigns using Amazon SES to send your emails. Previously, he was an early employee at Secret Escapes, focusing on their Product and Growth.
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About EmailOctopus, EmailOctopus: EmailOctopus is the low-cost, simple email marketing tool that makes it easy to grow your audience.
Scott Smith
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President of Vantis Life Insurance
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About Vantis Life Insurance: Vantis Life Insurance provides families affordable life insurance and annuity products.
Yvette Elkana
CO-FOUNDER/COO of PinEventz
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About PinEventz: PinEventz offers a platform for Event organisers not to just promote or sell tickets but to continue the conversation where its stop.
Yvette Elkana
CO-FOUNDER/COO of PinEventz
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About PinEventz: PinEventz offers a platform for Event organisers not to just promote or sell tickets but to continue the conversation where its stop.
Philip Sanchez
Co-Founder/COO of Jeeeni
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About Jeeeni: Jeeeni is a multidimensional lifestyle service that connects users with businesses, services, and communities within one single app.
Joaquin Cababie
Co-founder and COO of SmartOtels
Joaquin Cababie was brought up in Seville, Spain but moved to the UK to study at the University of Gloucester, staying on in the UK where he first worked in sales and marketing representation with LJR Consultancy, representing resorts such as The Pimalai and Rasananda in Thailand. After moving to London, Joaquin developed his relationship building skills, adding significantly to the portfolios of Loving Apartments and then The Apartment Service. Joaquin created SmartOtels Limited with Matthew Brooks in June 2013 and undertakes the amjority of the sales role for client hotels and resorts.
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About SmartOtels: SmartOtels is the creation of 2 well-known figures in the U.K. leisure and corporate travel and hospitality industries.
Justin Bowser
Chief Operating Officer of HTK
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About HTK: HTK Horizon is a SaaS platform for loyalty program management and CRM
