Member Article

Blackstar Capital appoint Simon Smart and James Paul

Blackstar Capital have confirmed the appointment of Simon Smart to the role of Head of Credit and Special Situations and James Paul to Portfolio Manager. The hires are part of the continued growth phase of the specialist structured finance and working capital solutions provider. Simon Smart will be responsible for expanding the company’s capabilities in providing innovative structured credit solutions to corporate clients as well as expanding Blackstar’s capabilities into special situations advisory and financing.

Simon who previously worked for Goldman Sachs, UBS and most recently BTG Pactual, joins Blackstar having had a diverse career in the industry, from developing pioneering regulatory capital structures in the reinsurance industry, to conducting major accounting fraud investigations and corporate restructurings.

James will be primarily focused on creating highly structured secured financing solutions for corporate clients operating both within the sport industry and beyond. He joins Blackstar from 23 Capital where he worked as a Credit & Portfolio Manager for two years where he focused on sports, music, and entertainment. Previously, he held the roles of Assistant Vice President at Credit Suisse and Analyst at J.P. Morgan covering a range of industries, geographies, asset classes and product types.

These hires come at a time when Blackstar Capital continues to evolve into a key partner for many corporates looking to optimise their working capital, as banks focus on serving a narrowing band of multi-product, global corporates against a backdrop of increasing regulation and capital reserve requirements. Blackstar works with corporates, and investors across a full spectrum of working capital products.

Mark Stephens, CEO of Blackstar Capital, says: “Simon brings a wealth of expertise and experience and is someone who we’ve worked with for some time now. Blackstar continues to experience a substantial growth phase, and Simon’s appointment reflects that. As our development continues, we look forward to the value that Simon will bring to his new role, offering his unique insight and skill, as we begin work on major projects that are soon to be announced.

James will give us even greater experience and credibility when it comes to adding real value to the sporting world, alongside his unquestionable general credit skills. Sport is an area where we can really make an impact and it is a sector we are already making formal steps into. There are significant similarities to what we are already doing in other segments of the market, and with certain participants exiting and a big demand for liquidity, we see a real opportunity for James to help us establish ourselves.“

Simon Smart said: “Having known the Blackstar team for a number of years, collaborating with them on a number of advanced projects, I am excited to be taking up this full-time role during this progressive time for the company. The Blackstar team is highly innovative and agile, with a deservedly strong reputation for creating innovative financing solutions that match corporate borrowing needs with institutional investor risk/return parameters.”

James Paul Said: “I am excited to be joining the Blackstar team at such a transformative time for the company. I’m particularly impressed by the company’s nimble and flexible approach toward financing and look forward to helping the team drive into new areas and innovate during such an unprecedented time for the industry.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nathan Stennett .