Seacom has announced a new senior-management structure in what it says is a bid to cater for the company's growth plans.
This comes six days after the subsea cable operator announced its CEO of just less than two-and-a-half years, Mark Simpson, was stepping down and being replaced by Seacom's founder and original CEO Brian Herlihy.
Seacom is looking at expanding into nine more markets throughout Africa - a process that will include spreading the company's physical presence. At the time of Herlihy's reappointment, the company said he had been tasked with continuing the expansion of Seacom's product offering and customer service offering into Africa and beyond.
The operator says the changes to its leadership team will position the company to enter new African markets and "enhance synergies between regions and functions within the business".
New management
Seacom has established a new business development group, to be led by Suveer Ramdhani, which will focus on Seacom's growth into new markets and evaluate strategic investments and possible merger and acquisition targets.
Previously the head of product strategy, Ramdhani is one of the founding members of the Seacom leadership team. He has experience in building businesses in the region, with his background in management consulting. Over his career, Ramdhani has participated in a series of strategic projects in the telecommunications, construction, petroleum and banking industries.
Seacom says Chris Smyth, who was appointed as chief financial officer in October last year, will "take a hands-on approach to financial management". The former acting CEO of South African Airways will head up the finance function, which comprises statutory and monthly reporting and analysis, budgeting, treasury, payments, billings and collections, among other functions.
"Smyth has worked in a number of sectors, although his passions lie in the aviation and technology sectors. He has held a range of senior financial management roles and has worked in both private and public entities in SA, Nigeria and Kenya."
Product and service development will be consolidated into the sales and marketing functions, currently under the leadership of chief commercial officer Byron Clatterbuck.
"This new consolidation will put product development and market segment expansion all into one market-facing team. Clatterbuck has over 15 years of global telecoms experience in managing large data businesses as a 'line of business' executive, focusing on data service expansion and profitable growth," says Seacom.
Other key changes at the company include the following promotions: Willem Marais to global head of sales, Robert Marston to global head of product, and Nicola Haynes-Smart to head of business operations.
The Seacom IP network covers major centres across Africa's eastern edge and SA, with IP points of presence in SA, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya - as well as extensions across borders and into landlocked central countries.
Herlihy says the restructuring of Seacom represents a strong platform for growth. "Our new management structure positions us perfectly to expand our revenues and share of ICT spending in our core markets in the years to come."
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