OUR TEAM
Jack Purkiss
Managing Partner
Jack currently oversees a multi sectoral business portfolio as owner, investor, and advisor. His interests range from commercial property and yachting to EdTech and e-commerce.
Jack orchestrated and oversaw the restructuring and eventual acquisition of all necessary assets and intellectual property of Glider Yachts Ltd and Advanced Marine Holdings Ltd via Malt Capital Ltd. Subsequently, Jack has worked tirelessly alongside partners to rebase, redesign and reengineer the innovative hull form, and has engaged and appointed a world class team to spearhead the growth of Malt Capital as it nears production capability.
Former commodities trader for the world’s leading publicly listed firm, Jack was responsible for a 7 - figure monthly trading budget.
Jack read law at Cardiff university and is now based in the Cotswolds.
Mark Downer
Senior Design & Engineering Partner
Mark is the Engineering Director at Griffon Hoverwork with a demonstrated history of working in the ship design and ship building industry. Passionate about driving innovation and technology development. Skilled in engineering management, business management, business development, change management, maritime operations, marine safety, survivability and system Integration. Strong engineering professional with a Master of Engineering (MEng) focused in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from University of Southampton.
Mark and the team at Griffon Hoverwork have been and continue to be valued, trusted partners of Malt Capital, leading the design and evolution of the innovative Piercer hull form.
David Cazalet
Senior Commercial Advisor
David Cazalet is an entrepreneur in the Technology, Cybersecurity, and Innovation space. He recently sold his 150 strong cyber security company to Cap Gemini. Today he sits on the advisory boards of several fast growth tech companies. He invests his money in technology and mentors’ founders. He has been shortlisted for the Amnesty International Freedom of Speech award, has close ties with the arts and sits as an intermediary between Israeli tech and Arab investment.
Sam Christey
Senior Investment Consultant
Sam has formerly co-founded companies across the food industry and social impact sectors. He exited his position at Alibi drinks in his mid-20s to grow a social impact project in Afghanistan finding markets for products in Western supermarkets. An original partner in Plant for Peace, he spent 7 years going back and forth seeking to persuade the Taliban to swap from heroin production for more mainstream farming. They successfully engaged HRH Prince Charles and his International sustainability unit. He introduced over 30 investors, raising £2.9m from Europe and the USA into the project. Spending all those years going through the UAE dressed in a kaftan allowed Sam to build a unique network in the GCC which now enables him to provide venture services and raise investment from private families for SMEs in the disruptive tech, social impact and real estate sectors.
Sam went to Marlborough College studying Architecture at Newcastle University and an Economics and Management Diploma at London School of Economics. His expertise lie in SME business planning, strategy, fundraising, and sales development.
Simon Veale
Head of Marketing & Brand
Lord Gavin Chapman
Executive Chairman
Lord Gavin Chapman is a high performing senior executive who has an outstanding track record of business leadership across global digital technology, business process, cyber security, recruitment and professional services industry. Full P&L responsibility across a wide range of organisations from multiple start - ups to in excess of €600M P&L.
Gavin has extensive experience of creating structures for success and providing leadership to create and lead high performing teams to excel. Empowering, motivating and coaching teams to exceed financial and customer service expectations. Leadership support in executive customer relationships, major sales campaigns, high level negotiations, commercial and contractual activities to ensure the business meets and exceeds targets whilst maximizing profit levels.
Broad International and UK experience within multiple start-ups, turnaround and global organisations, combining significant P&L accountability, strategy, sales and delivery serving a wide range of both private and public sector customers. Extensive experience of acquisition, merger and integration activities within small and large complex and matrixed organisations.
Government and Defence security cleared. Bank of England advisory board member and Princes Trust sponsor.
A former Royal Navy Petty Officer Gavin has always had a love of the sea and passion for motorboats and sailing yachts, having the luxury of owning his own superyacht
Lee Drinkwater
Senior Unmanned Systems Technical Advisor and Partner
Lee is currently the CEO of our long-term technical partner, AS2 Systems.
Previous position with the UAE Royal Family Defence company. Special Projects Director and deputy Managing Director for Private Office of Theyab bin Khalifa bin Hamdan Al Nayhan - Concentrating on defence and security. Re wrote the security plans and technical surveillance capacity at Entebbe Airport Uganda. The head of BD & Strategy for Al Seer Marine and no2 to the CEO. In charge of unmanned surface vessels and the commercialisation of the business. All marketing, PR, press, BD, shows. Lee has orchestrated numerous landmark deals associated with defence, specifically unmanned surface vessels, within the GCC collectively valued at over half a billion dollars.
Lee and his team of senior engineers within AS2 Systems will continue to be invaluable in assisting and shaping Malt Capital’s unmanned capability.
Simon Shooter
Head of Legal
Simon is a commercial technology law partner at the international law firm, Bird & Bird LLP. He works principally in technology rich industries where his experience of a wide spectrum of complex technology transactions pays dividends. He has a very diverse client base working for clients in the financial services, healthcare, and automotive sectors. As an example, he is presently working with an iconic motorcycle company on their engine design and manufacture contracts, a global leader in the design and build of armoured fighting vehicles drivetrains and suspensions on an upgrade programme for the MoD, a London NHS entity seeking to consolidate the pathology services of three NHS Trust hospitals and an international software house developing and operating SaaS services for an international investment bank. The diversity keeps him on his toes and ensures a true breadth of experience is ever present at the strategy and negotiation tables.
His Middle East experience began in the early 90s when he was an external lawyer for the Royal Saudi Arabian Embassy in London assisting with the legal support requirements of both the diplomatic and consular side of the embassy. Simon has extensive experience of negotiating commercial transactions across the GCC.
With three decades of Gulf wide experience Simon’s network provides access to high value assets in Saudi, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait and Oman.
Simon opens the line of communication between clients, customers, and stakeholders to get projects done. With over 30 years experience in developing creative businesses and multi-channel communication programmes in the luxury goods, 5 star hotels and resorts, superyacht and high end property sectors.
Extensive marine experience delivering multi-channel marketing programmes for Sunseeker, Oyster, CNM Marinas, plus many others
Non Executive Directors & Advisory Board
David Hunkin OBE
Supporting military, surveillance & unmanned systems operations
David brings considerable maritime expertise to the Advisory Board with over 30 years’ experience in the Defence, recreational and commercial maritime industry. A former Naval Officer where he specialised in surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and unconventional maritime operations, he is ideally suited to Piercer Marine.
Since leaving the Royal Navy in 2012 after 25 years’ service, he has pursued a commercial career in oil & gas, aviation, maritime and Defence industries.
More broadly David is a Trustee of the Felix Fund Bomb Disposal Charity a passionate sailor and lifelong supporter of the RNLI.
Frank Stephenson
Supporting design strategy
& brand vision
Automotive insiders regularly refer to Stephenson as “one of most influential automotive designers of our time” and “he has designed some of the most iconic cars of the 21st century” - Autoblog & Motor Trend.
Stephenson’s design career spans several of Europe’s best known automotive companies, where he has penned and overseen cars such as the Ford RS Cosworth, BMW X5, new MINI, Ferrari F430, Maserati MC12, new Fiat 500 and all the new range of supercars from McLaren.
Now with his own Design Studio – Frank Stephenson Design he is designing across industry - eVTOL aircraft, BabyArk a new Child and Baby Car safety seat, innovative beauty products, watches and other exciting projects.
Nicholas Warren
Supporting operational strategy
Nicholas is currently a Director at The SMS Group. He’s a marine industry veteran with 20 years’ experience in the sector; having lead Burgess Marine through an unprecedented period of growth, to include a private equity backed management buyout, and latterly a trade sale of the group of companies - he’s been CEO of Burgess Marine, Global Services and Meercat Workboats. His experience encompasses the marine leisure sector, superyacht sector and both the defence and commercial marine engineering spaces. Having led numerous acquisitive transactions, from cradle to grave, including due-diligence, negotiation, finance, implementation and delivery he is well-versed in the industrial B2B M&A space.
Additional professional experience includes numerous marines, and non-marine centric, NED roles; he is a Freeman of the City of London, and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights. His other interests include sailing, skiing and shooting. Nicholas is married to Kate, with two children, Henry, and William.
Linda Nørris
Supporting commercial strategy & partnerships
Managing director of Frank Stephenson Design
An inspirational leader of leaders, a highly motivational, results driven business coach, an intuitive facilitator and caring mentor with an entrepreneurial flair and good sense of humour. Driven to contribute, make a difference, and encourage growth.