Non-Exec Director

Mark Callaghan Non-Exec Director

Mark began his career at the US tech giant Hewlett-Packard, where he led production and divisional change control teams in the UK. He later spent time in the United States, managing a project to transition a cutting-edge mass storage product from the R&D labs in Boise, Idaho, into full-scale production. This involved developing production processes, setting up infrastructure, and building UK-based teams, eventually scaling operations to a 200-person workforce.

HP was an excellent training ground. During his eight years there, Mark gained a robust skill set that laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey. At age 29, driven by a strong desire to build something of his own, he left HP to launch his first business (not counting a window-cleaning venture he started at age 14). He grew this business to £2 million in revenue within 18 months—a period marked by steep learning curves, valuable lessons, and a balance of failures and successes. This experience confirmed his passion for entrepreneurship and set him on a path to build and develop multiple businesses.

His next venture was founding a direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce business, which he grew to £25 million in revenue. Again, the journey was filled with both wins and setbacks, but it proved equally rewarding. The company received numerous accolades, including twice making the Sunday Times Fast Track list and earning the prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade—an honour that gave Mark the opportunity to meet several members of the Royal Family, including Her Majesty the Queen. As Co-Founder and CEO of Smarter Capital, Mark is responsible for shaping the company’s acquisition strategy. He also plays a hands-on role in supporting portfolio companies—developing growth strategies, recruiting top talent, and serving as a trusted advisor and Non-Executive Director.

Why Partner with Chilliapple?

Because they are a highly capable, expert, and ambitious team with operations in both the UK and India. By truly partnering with our clients and guiding them through digital transformation, we aim to grow in tandem with their success.

Meet Mark`s Colleagues