Meet our team
The Refined Capital Partners team has a wealth of operational experience in building brands that stand the test of time.
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Ben Barnett
FOUNDING PARTNER
Following an early career in Investment Banking and Private Equity, Ben Barnett joined the Board of womenswear retailer Phase Eight in 2009, driving its expansion into international markets, as well as developing the brand’s DTC and global online marketplace strategy. On the back of a strong growth trajectory, Ben led the business as CEO through the £238 million exit to South African listed retailer TFG in 2015. Having completed the brand integration, Mr. Barnett led the transformational acquisitions of the premium womenswear brands Whistles and Hobbs to create the TFG London portfolio, stepping back in 2021.
Ben chairs the Boards of Refined Brands, OneStock and Refined Networks.
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Anastasia Fadeeva
FOUNDING PARTNER
Anastasia started her career in investment banking, spending eight years with J.P. Morgan and Greenhill & Co with a focus on M&A and debt restructuring, followed by a period of consulting to start-ups in the FinTech and RetailTech sectors. In 2014, Anastasia joined Phase Eight, taking responsibility for commercial and corporate finance and spearheaded the establishment and growth of TFG Brands London, completing the acquisitions of Whistles, Damsel in a Dress and Hobbs, and building their post-acquisition business plans. Following the Hobbs transaction in 2017, she became its Finance Director, working with the team to deliver strong growth in sales and profitability. Following the integration of the brand into TFG Brands London, Anastasia took on the Group Operations Director role, with responsibilities extended to include the Group’s property function and the development of Group strategy. In 2022, she stepped back from TFG London to focus on the creation of Refined Capital Partners.
Anastasia currently holds Board roles at Refined Brands, Refined Networks and Disturbia.
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Ian Wallis
OPERATING PARTNER
Ian has extensive experience in international business development, previously holding senior positions at Phase Eight, Aurora Fashions, Levi’s, Gap and Arcadia Group.
In 2020, Ian co-founded Refined Networks to help brands overcome the complexities caused by Brexit and launch onto the UK's fast-growing fashion marketplaces. As Managing Director, Ian has led the company's global expansion, using its expertise, technology and logistics network to enable brands to scale their marketplace, DTC and wholesale business across the USA, UK, Europe and the Middle East.
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Louise Roche
OPERATING PARTNER
Louise has built her career leading brand strategy and global expansion in senior positions at Phase Eight and Karen Millen.
With decades of experience in merchandising and trading roles, Louise joined Refined Networks in 2021 as Chief Commercial Officer. Leveraging her expertise and Refined Networks's proprietary technology across the UK, Europe, USA, and the Middle East, Louise is able to guide partner brands to deliver robust, scalable market strategies with positive commercial outcomes while minimising complexity.
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Sune Bjerregaard
OPERATING PARTNER
Sune was the CEO of Masai from 2012–2020, where he led its international expansion, doubled revenue, and steered a management buyout to Silverfleet Capital.
He co-founded Refined Networks in 2020 to help other fashion brands overcome the complexities caused by Brexit and launch onto the UK's fast-growing fashion marketplaces. Leading the international business development team, Sune has expanded the company's portfolio to include major names like Benetton Group, DK Company, Lindex, Soeur and J.Lindeberg, scaling their marketplace, DTC and wholesale businesses across the USA, UK, Europe and the Middle East.
He is Non-Executive Director for All Good Things and Chairman of the Board for Rabens Saloner.
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Tom Wakeford
OPERATING PARTNER
Tom has spent over 20 years leading digital, product and technology transformation and strategy for international fashion and retail businesses. With a background spanning delivery, platform architecture, transformation and senior leadership, he has deep expertise in building scalable platforms that support multi-channel commerce and international expansion.
Currently Chief Product & Technology Officer at Refined Networks, Tom has held senior leadership roles at Jigsaw and FitFlop, with earlier delivery roles at The White Company. Working closely with executive teams, he has shaped technology strategies aligned to commercial growth and customer experience, supporting businesses through significant change, including transitions to D2C models, platform modernisation and improved use of data to inform decision-making.
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Tessa Hardy
LEGAL DIRECTOR
Tessa Hardy has over a decade of experience advising corporates on the complexities of the modern legal landscape. Having trained and qualified at top City law firm Ashurst LLP, Tessa then moved to boutique London practice Hamlins LLP before leaving private practice for TFG London as one of their first in-house legal counsel. Whilst at TFG, she advised on the acquisitions of premium womenswear brands including Hobbs, as well as a wide range of commercial, technology and real estate matters. She also led on supply chain and logistics from a legal side, working closely with the CSR and sustainability teams.
Since joining RCP and Refined Networks as Legal Director, Tessa has focussed on embedding solid partnerships with strong commercial legal advice.
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Amanda Preston
HEAD OF PR & MARKETING
Amanda Preston has a diverse background in PR and marketing, having held roles across the publishing, non-profit, e-commerce, media, technology and retail sectors in New Zealand and the UK. In her early career, Amanda managed market communications for the global merger of Penguin Random House and built a huge, highly-engaged online audience of supporters for the RSPCA, before joining New Zealand Media & Entertainment. There, she was promoted to a senior role at the online deal marketplace GrabOne and played a key role in the launch of three new digital brands. Amanda relocated to the UK in 2019 and led a rebrand of retail technology company Red Ant, which is now a key vendor in the luxury retail market.
Amanda leads PR and marketing for RCP, Refined Networks and All Good Things.