Ellis Short

Ellis Short (born October 6, 1960) American businessman and founder of Kildare Partners, a private equity fund investing in distressed European real estate assets. Short was also the owner and chairman of English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from September 2008 to April 2018. Early life Ellis Short was born in Independence, Missouri, and attended William Chrisman High School. He earned a degree in mechanical engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 1983. Career After graduating, Short worked for General Electric beginning in 1983. In 1995, Short joined Lone Star Funds, a Dallas-based private equity firm, becoming president of the fund and heading its Asian operations. In 2003, Short paid £23 million for Skibo Castle, which operates as a members-only hotel and country club in Scotland. The castle is famous for hosting Madonna's wedding to Guy Ritchie in 2000. In 2013, Short formed a new company, Kildare Partners, to invest in distressed property assets and non-performing debt.