Our Team
John joined the UK Tote Group in September 2020 and has significant international business experience, especially in Asia, having been based in Hong Kong for nearly 30 years. He is an Independent Non-Executive Director of Pacific Basin Shipping Limited, Interim Chairman of the London Metal Exchange and served on the board of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing from 2008 – 2021. John is a Chartered Accountant, the founder of a family office consulting business and worked for many years in the investment banking and finance industry. He is a keen racegoer and a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
John Williamson, Chairman
Before joining the Tote, Simon spent his career in the financial services industry, most recently as Managing Director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He has over twenty years’ experience as a top-rated industry analyst at leading global investment banks advising corporates on a range of strategic challenges.
Simon Larkin, Chief Financial Officer
Prior to joining the Tote, Susannah was Director of External Affairs and board member for Arena Racing Company and before that was Head of Public Affairs at Betfair where she oversaw the company’s political work in the UK and Ireland. Susannah started her career as a researcher in parliament.
Susannah Gill, Communications and Corporate Affairs Director
Jon has 15 years of experience in international markets having been an equity sales trader at a number of leading
institutions including ABN Amro NV, Piper Jaffray Europe and Macquarie Group. He has significant experience of business operations in Europe, Asia and the US. Jon
is a keen racing fan.
Jon Knapman, Chief Commercial Officer (International)
Janet joined the Tote in 2020 from GVC and has over 20 years’ experience in HR. At GVC she led the Talent and Development function in Gibraltar. She brings a wealth of experience from several industries including Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Swinton Insurance and Private Equity backed organisations. Janet is a school governor.
Janet Ainsworth, HR Director
Before bringing together investors and an executive team to purchase and operate the Tote, Alex spent most of his working career in banking. He joined Dresdner Kleinwort in 1999 and, aged 29, became one of their youngest ever Managing Directors. At Merrill Lynch in 2007 he became head of cash equity sales trading for EMEA. Alex is a life-long racing fan and runs Ladyswood Stud as well as having horses in training with Henry Candy, Charlie Fellowes, Jamie Snowden and Charlie Hills.
He runs five syndicates and is a member of the Epsom Downs Racecourse board.
Alex Frost, CEO
Freddie has a broad range of experience managing business and reputational risk for global brands, including the Worldpay Group, Barclays Bank and Gap. Freddie trained as a lawyer with city firm Titmuss Sainer and Webb (now Dechert).
Freddie Grive, General Counsel
Phill joined the team in June 2023 and is a highly experienced product and technology leader having worked in a variety of senior roles at Trainline, most recently Interim CTO and VP of Engineering. He brings over a decade of technology transformation and innovative product development experience, from the bottom up re-platforming of the tech stack to the internationalisation of the consumer experience and the growth of Trainline's B2B platform offering.
Phill Jones, Chief Product and
Technology Officer
Dave joined the team in April 2023 as Chief Commercial Officer (UK). Dave is an experienced industry leader having worked in a variety of senior operational roles at Inspired Gaming, Paddy Power, Betfair, COO at SBTech and most recently as SVP at DraftKings. He has a wealth of experience, having worked across the gaming sector for over 25 years. Dave is involved in multiple racing syndicates, owning five national hunt horses in Ireland.
