Leadership Team
Jambu Palaniappan, Chief Executive Officer
Jambu joined from OMERS Ventures, a Canadian venture capital firm, where he was Managing Partner & Head of Europe. He previously held several executive roles at Uber and Uber Eats, where he was among the first 100 employees globally.
Alongside leading the team at Checkatrade, he’s currently a Non-Executive Director of JustEat Takeaway.
Outside of work, Jambu loves spending quality time with his wife and two young daughters. He enjoys playing golf, hitting the gym, and reading.
Mathieu Proust, Chief Operating Officer
Mathieu started his career with Microsoft before founding two tech companies of his own. He moved to the UK in 2014, joining Uber Eats, where he introduced McDonalds delivery to the UK, before becoming a General Manager. Mathieu moved to WeWork in 2018 as General Manager for UK and Ireland, before becoming COO for their international market.
Outside of work, Mathieu is dad to two small girls – admitting the eldest rules his house – and is a keen squash player, and when he’s not in London or Lakeside can be found in Dublin, where his wife is from.
Gorden Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer
Info coming soon…
John Frith, Chief People Officer
John has over 20 years’ experience in HR at a wide variety of companies. Starting his career at Lloyds TSB, he’s since spent the last 12 years helping to develop businesses in HR Director roles.
Outside of work, John lives an active outdoor life in the beautiful New Forest with his wife and two wonderful kids. John is an avid sports fan, a regular paddle boarder, and a wild swimmer all year round. Recently, he’s been roped into coaching his son’s cricket team, Bashley CC.
Taz Ibrahim, Interim Chief Financial Officer
Info coming soon…
Helen Kennedy-Shamir, Chief Legal Officer
Helen has spent the last 20 years advising on corporate law, working for private equity and venture capital funds and FTSE25O companies. Working in the UK, US and Australia she has experience buying, selling and building business all across the world.
Outside of work Helen can be found open water swimming as well as indulging her passion as a keen (if untrained!) gardener and interior designer.
David White, Chief of Staff and Director of Strategy
Before joining Checkatrade, David led on strategy for nearly a decade – starting at consultants Bain & Company, moving to Disney to focus on sports and Disney+, and most recently serving as Group Head of Strategy at HomeServe Plc.
David lives with his wife in South London, and on a weekend you’ll find him in the pub watching football or F1, supporting his local church, or chasing his two young boys around a park.
Sebastien de Bandt, Chief Marketing Officer
Info coming soon…
