Meet the team

As an award-winning international money transfer specialist, we provide UK businesses with bespoke currency exchange solutions. We offer dedicated guidance on a range of tailored strategies to help companies mitigate currency risk and protect underlying profits on their international transfers and payments.

At Smart, we are passionate about providing educational information to businesses both large and small, to help them understand, create and implement treasury management solutions that are bespoke to their requirements. As well as this, Smart clients can also access news, insights and forecasts relating to currency, exports and imports, economic and business issues.

Our senior team regularly comments in the national and trade media on these issues, and our CEO has a monthly blog on Forbes.

Management Team

Charles Purdy

Charles Purdy

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Charles is the Smart Currency Group founder and Chief Executive Officer, bringing well over 20 years of diversified industry knowledge and experience to the company. He has operated in various positions such as, engineering on the initial design team for the Typhoon and Tornado fighters, working at PwC and has trained as a Chartered Accountant. Charles has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of a diamond-mining company operating in Namibia. It was his position as CFO there, that revealed how crucial currency strategies are to a business’ bottom line.

In the 1990s, Charles delved further into the currency exchange industry, joining a team that commenced operations in Eastern Europe (with the collapse of the Berlin Wall). As globalisation boomed, Charles saw the growing importance for companies to mitigate risk on their international payments. He also noticed the world was presenting a new wave of entrepreneurship not previously accessible, thus heeded the call.

As the founder of the Smart Currency Group, Charles uses his knowledge and experience of international business to help thousands of companies reduce their risk and improve the efficiency of their overseas trade. He is a firm believer that businesses require useful and relevant information, championing thought leadership within the sector.

Alex Bennett

Alex Bennett

Managing Director

Alex has been with the Smart Group since 2008 and is responsible for all sales and marketing efforts. He has overseen more than 3000 client acquisitions and remains at the coalface in many client and affiliate conversations.

As Managing Director and the Co-Founder of Smart Currency Business, Alex ensures that Smart’s multi award-winning risk management service is constantly being delivered, developed and refined. His passion for the company’s culture to progress and strong drive for persistent innovation, are key forces that ensure Smart Currency Business grows from strength to strength.

Initiatives pioneered by Alex include the launch of ‘Smart Currency Options’ and the introduction of Smart’s ‘Business Services’.

Guy Phelan

Guy Phelan

Corporate Sales Director

Guy joined Smart as Corporate Sales Director in June 2023 having worked in corporate foreign exchange risk management for 25 years.

Guy graduated in Economics and worked for global banks such as HSBC and specialist foreign exchange brokers. Throughout Guy’s working career he always loved working directly with clients, and building and managing successful sales teams. This passion led him to join Smart Currency Business, where his leadership of the corporate sales business will include scaling the team to continue driving growth.

Outside of work, Guy spends his time with his family, having a son who races BMX at an international level and plays rugby, and a daughter who loves horse riding and dancing. He is a huge Leicester City fan and a proud season ticket holder for over 20 years.

Jonathan Andrews

Jonathan Andrews

Finance Director

Jonathan joined Smart Currency Business as head of finance in April 2019 and is now the company’s finance director. He is responsible for various financial duties and obligations within Smart such as credit, exposures, compliance, banking and legal matters. Jonathan also leads in innovating and strategizing the company’s growth.

Before joining the Smart Group, Jonathan spent 4 years working within Deloitte’s Audit & Assurance Practice and trained as a chartered accountant. He also worked as a financial controller at Sky’s commercial finance team for 5 years, where he developed incentive schemes to improve KPIs.

In his spare time, Jonathan is keen on DIY and enjoys working on projects at home. He is also a big family man and loves to spend time with his young son.

Sam Garnett

Sam Garnett

Head of Options

Sam became the Head of options at Smart Currency Business in 2020.

Before joining Smart, Sam gained invaluable experience in various roles within the sector including working as an Options Dealer and Head of Dealing. His responsibilities include managing foreign exchange, trading, hedging to help clients mitigate risk against currency fluctuations.

Outside of the office, Sam has a great passion for cars and enjoys scenic drives. He is also a family man, including his beloved German Shepherd Enzo. Sam also enjoys visiting Greece and often spends time there with family and friends.

Neil Briddock

Neil Briddock

Head of Corporate Operations

Neil is the Head of Corporate Operations at Smart Currency Business and has been with the Smart Group since 2017. He brings with him over 20 years of industry experience in senior sales, operations and client relationship management.

Neil is always the last person to leave the office, but when he does his hobbies, interests, activities and TV choices are entirely dictated by his 13-year-old Son, Henry.

Tobias Woodward

Tobias Woodward

Head of Corporate Partnerships

Toby joined Smart Currency Business in 2021 and is the Head of Corporate Partnerships. Having had over 7 years of industry experience, he brings a wealth of expert knowledge in protecting businesses against risk and managing foreign exchange.

Within his role, Toby utilises industry know-how to lead the corporate partnership team in maintaining our strong relationships with like-minded businesses.

When not networking or visiting partners and clients, Toby enjoys a range of hobbies. He is a big Tottenham fan, an avid reader, film enthusiast, and likes to keep fit by playing football regularly.

Richard M’Crystal

Richard M’Crystal

Director of Risk and Compliance/MLRO

Richard Joined the Smart group in September 2015 and is the Director of Risk and Compliance/MLRO. Over the years, he has acquired a breadth of expertise from various sectors, all of which he brings to Smart.

Richard is an experienced Global Finance Director and has held the position of CFO in industries such as freight and distribution, agriculture, and financial services. He has also worked at PWC (part of ‘The Big Four’) and is a trained Finance and risk professional.

Outside of work, Richard enjoys a range of activities and can be found on the golf course or surfing with family.

Account Management Team

Ricky Nelson

Ricky Nelson

Account Director

Ricky joined the Smart Group in 2020, bringing with him over 20-years of business expertise and experience. Before joining Smart, Ricky worked in the city holding proprietary trading positions in investment banks and later moved into senior client-facing roles, where he was responsible for formulating tailored risk management solutions for the SME market.

Off the desk Ricky is a father of 3 and, like many at Smart, is keen on keeping active. Ricky is a devout Spurs fan and dedicated marathon runner, with hopes to break the elusive 2:45 barrier sometime soon.

Jared Golden

Jared Golden

Senior Key Account & Risk Manager

Jared is a Senior Key Account & Risk Manager, possessing over 12 years of experience in the foreign exchange industry. He adopts a real-life and practical approach to understanding what challenges a company is facing, so that he can provide straightforward and effective risk management solutions.

Jared is also certified in all core technical concepts of treasury management with the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT).

Away from the office, Jared leads a very active life, enjoying long walks and bike rides which help to counteract his love of eating out. He’s also a sport enthusiast and, when time permits, enjoys both summer test matches and rugby matches.

Jan Pacula

Jan Pacula

Senior Key Account & Risk Manager

Jan is a Senior Key Account & Risk Manager at Smart Currency Business and has worked in the foreign exchange industry for nearly 20 years. He is an expert in forming strong relationships with clients and communicating risk management solutions effectively.

Jan enjoys keeping fit and maintains a healthy balance between both exercising and eating out. Although Jan has travelled to many different parts of the world, his favourite holiday destination is closer to home in Cornwall. Jan also enjoys keeping active, visiting the cinema and reading autobiographies.

Oliver Stokes

Oliver Stokes

Senior Key Account & Risk Manager

Oliver joined Smart Currency Business as a Client Relationship Manager in 2021. He brings with him a wealth of expertise in client relationship management, which he gained working as a foreign exchange trader in the City of London.

Like many on the Smart team, sport is a great passion of Oliver’s and he is a dedicated Chelsea football club fan. On weekends, Oliver devotes his time to keeping active and enjoys cycling around Richmond Park, running along the Thames pathway, or clocking up the miles in Battersea Park.

Edward Matts

Edward Matts

Client Relationship Manager

Edward joined the Smart Group in 2018 and holds a degree in Business Management from the University of Exeter. With a breadth of talents and expertise to draw from and as a Client Relationship Manager, he frequently provides exceptional customer service and business solutions for all clients.

Away from the office, Edward is a passionate sportsman partaking in hockey, golf and tennis. He also enjoys skiing holidays, music festivals and is a devout Arsenal fan, visiting the Emirates Stadium on a semi-regular basis.

Rufus Brookman

Rufus Brookman

SmartHedge Product Manager

Rufus joined the Smart Currency Group in 2019 after having attained a degree in Banking and Finance at BPP University. During his time at Smart, Rufus has excelled in various roles across the company and currently brings a wealth of expertise to his role as the SmartHedge Product Manager.

Outside of work, Rufus has a variety of interests including exploring the local history of East London, luxury watch collecting and restoration, bouldering and, most recently, becoming the owner of an 8-week-old Miniature Dachshund named Cooper.

Case studies

Our range of case studies showcase our work with a variety of clients across many different industries. Each study highlights a specific client requirement that has been fulfilled using our Budget, Risk and Solution process, which involves discussing their business model, goals and budget, and then identifying the potential risks associated.

Please click ‘download case study’ to download any of our case studies for free! If you want to know more about how Smart Currency Business can help your business remove uncertainty and mitigate the risks of foreign currency exposure, then email us at [email protected] or give us a call on 020 7898 0500.

BMF Finalist
West London Business Awards 2022 Winner
West London Business Awards