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Meet The BTC Team

Personnel

Our Team Members

team of experts

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Business Trading Company UK (BTC UK) is a holding and investment company. Established in 2015, the core team has nurtured a growing reputation as a source of growth capital for UK brands.

BTC UK Managing Director

Mehdi joined BTC in 2014, masterminding its launch in the UK market. Having overseen the initial acquisition of SOHO Coffee Co, he developed it into a holding company. This facilitated the acquisition of Euphorium Bakery; high quality hospitality brands that fit perfectly within the BTC Hospitalityity portfolio. Since then, Mehdi has launched BTC UK’s real estate investment platform, announced to the market with the acquisition of the iconic Bow Street Magistrates Court in the heart of London. Looking ahead, Mehdi will continue to oversee operations in the UK, guiding the group’s deployment of capital to quality, promising brands, together with unique real estate opportunities to deliver world-class hotels to the UK. As BTC UK develops, Mehdi will manage the process of strengthening both strands of the business, creating a trusted source of growth capital for exciting brands and hotels.

Mehdi Ghalaie

BTC UK Managing Director

BTC UK Finance & Investment Director

Andrew is a chartered accountant with approaching 15 years professional services and capital markets experience. He joined BTC Hospitalityity as Finance Director in September 2016, with overall responsibility for building and strengthening the group’s finance function – people, systems, processes and reporting – to support and control the rapidly growing UK F&B operation. In addition to F&B, Andrew has wider financial and strategic oversight responsibilities at the BTC UK holding company level, and is working with the group’s Qatari shareholder to establish its corporate office in the UK. Prior to joining BTC Hospitalityity, Andrew was a Senior Manager with Ernst & Young in London, where he worked in the financial due diligence team for 5½ years across a number of sectors including F&B. He originally trained and qualified at PwC in 2010. Earlier in his career, as a graduate, Andrew worked as a corporate finance analyst at New Boathouse Capital. Andrew graduated from Bath University in 2004 with a degree in Economics & Politics.

Andrew Woodruff

BTC UK Finance & Investment Director

BTC Hospitalityity Investments Group Chief Executive Officer

Sam joined the Business in January 2023. He has over 28 years of experience working and leading F&B brands in the hospitality industry. Post education, Sam started his operational career with TGI Fridays and over time has moved into brand development, business development and the strategic leadership roles. He has responsibility and oversight of all BTC Hospitalityity brands including SOHO Coffee Co. and Euphorium. Sam will be strategically taking the business forward, elevating the brands, setting the new vision, implementing the plan and driving the growth agenda to move the business forward. Prior to joining the BTCH Group, Sam has worked and operated in many environments including the High Street, Travel, Health, In store, Soft FM, event management, new start ups, and overseas. Sam lives in Leicestershire with his wife and two teenagers. He is a keen cycling enthusiast and follower of F1.

Sam Shutt

BTC Hospitalityity Investments Group Chief Executive Officer

BTC Hospitalityity Investments Finance Director

Ijaz joined the business in February 2017. He has 20 years of experience working in food manufacturing and F&B hospitality industries. Ijaz is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and is a Chartered Global Management Accountant. He has responsibility and oversight of all core business accounting and finance for Soho, Euphorium and BTCH Investments. This includes implementing and developing new systems, producing financial statements, developing the finance teams and supporting operations in EBITDA generation. Prior to joining BTCH Group, Ijaz worked for Associated British Foods plc, Fletchers Bakeries, Kout Food Group and Greencore plc in variety of senior reporting, business partnering and commercial finance roles. Ijaz lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two young children. He is a lifelong Manchester United supporter.

Ijaz Malik

BTC HospitalityITY INVESTMENTS GROUP Finance Director

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