Cheshire-based The Padel Group has bolstered its team as it looks to expand further into the UK padel courts and club operator market.
The company has welcomed Morgan Davies as a non-executive director and Steve Herring as finance director, while the business has also hired former GB athlete Jake Bennett as commercial manager.
Davies successfully founded and expanded the restaurant chain Barburrito, where Herring was financial director. In 2022, the business was sold to Wagamama owners The Restaurant Group.
The team is joined by ex-pro athlete Bennett, who brings 15 years’ experience in leisure operations management, which includes a four-year spell at New York’s famous Chelsea Piers sports complex.
The trio will join founder and CEO Jordan Ingoe in elevating the padel scene in the UK through the import and installation of courts via UK Padel Courts and the opening of their first club at Mottram Hall this summer, The Hook Club.
UK Padel Courts, which is the official distributor in the UK of Padelgest, one of Spain’s premium court manufacturers, expect to have a pivotal role in the growth of the sport as demand for courts increases. The latest figures from the International Padel Federation (FIP) indicated there are 200,000 amateur players in the UK and just 470 courts.
Davies, who will oversee day-to-day operations at The Padel Group, said: “I am excited to be joining the padel industry. I have been watching the space for a while and there is a real buzz on both the operator and player side.
“We have set up a fantastic relationship with Padelgest to bring quality courts to the UK and our first operation, The Hook Club, will stand out in the sector.”
UK Padel Courts offer a complete solution from support on planning, plus groundworks and installation backed by their Spanish partners Padelgest. The business is well positioned to support the growth of the sport and help meet the demand for installation in existing sports facilities such as golf and tennis clubs; universities and hotel resorts, as well as private clients.
The Padel Group founder Ingoe said: “I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team. Morgan and Steve bring vast commercial experience, Jake has a great background in sports operations and I have experience with commercial builds and expertise in the padel industry. I believe we are well positioned to be a key business in the padel market.”
The next key development for The Padel Group is to oversee the launch of The Hook Club, following a £400,000 investment.
