On the lighter side of things , we ask the industry experts what makes them tick . . . .

Over the last three-plus decades , I have been lucky to work across several industries , countries and cultures . Because of this , I have gained rich experience across telecoms , professional services , space , consulting , banking , manufacturing , retail and public services . I have fond memories from these sectors ; all learnings are part of my carefully curated playbook . Anyone aspiring to apply knowledge and experience from one industry to another has to take a measured approach to opportunity and risks . If I were to highlight a few memorable achievements , they would include :

1 . Establishing the first mobile networks across several markets

2 . Designing an innovative Shared Services Centre for a multi-billion-dollar giant

3 . Network transformation for the world ’ s largest mobile network operation

4 . Scaling mobile operations at Vodafone India for 200 million-plus customers – the first Internet connectivity for millions

5 . Building a technology group ( 150 strong ) and transformational tech stack for a space startup

What first made you think of a career in technology ?

I grew up in an era where information was sparse , knowledge was found through books or newspapers ,

and it was deemed prestigious to be a doctor or an engineer . I found that becoming a doctor would be an honoured profession , but also realised that it would take 15 years to achieve . The choice was clear : become an engineer instead and make a difference . I was lucky enough to join the telecoms industry , where I could contribute to society by providing connectivity . I have played a small part in empowering our communities with information and decision-making while on the move . With a passion for bridging the digital divide , I am now focused on helping remote African communities connect over satellite broadband .

What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?

As a Chief Technology Officer at Avanti Communications , I aim to connect the unconnected and empower individuals , communities , businesses and governments . This challenging ambition requires creative leverage of technology , partnerships , skills , processes and cultures . We operate and service in multiple countries , so it ’ s critical to understand local

Growing up in a cricket-loving nation , I would not surprise anyone if I said I could watch Cricket all day , any day .

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