Experience

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  Xiaomi Technology

  • Reading, UK

  • Head of Global Operator & Business Development

    • Sep 2019 - Present
    • Reading, UK

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  YEKANI TECHNOLOGY

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • May 2018 - Aug 2019
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Secured the company’s Smartphone, IT and Education, product roadmap through top class supplier from China. Closed a strategic partnership to contract manufacture of over 500k smartphones per year. Focus on transitioning all imports to CKD component level manufacture at company’s smart factory. Developed a GTM brand and marketing strategy to gain competitive position in target market. Set up distribution through mobile operator, mass retail, online, and government accounts.

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  Qualcomm

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Vice President Sub Sahara

    • Sep 2007 - Apr 2018
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Tasked to set up and manage all the Operator business across Africa. Opened offices in S Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt for best access to strategic key accounts such as Vodafone, MTN, Orange, Telenor, Etisalat, and Airtel. Hired and lead an elite multifunctional team of 18 able to deliver both revenue generating commercial and network related services and support. Consulted into Government regulatory bodies across region to accelerate spectrum access. Controlled end-to-end regional P&L, budget, and expenditure. Also managed the Middle East region for 3 year, opening services in Pakistan.Selected Contributions:• Increased revenue by over 20% YoY by launching the first low-cost white label device through a mobile operator ‘disruptor strategy’ whilst pioneering a new ‘holistic’ mobile network operator account strategy.• Collected over $250M by negotiating IPR Compliance and enforcement initiatives across MEA.• Positioned key model to push new 4G advanced feature, added 10% bottom-line profit, and spearheaded chipset sales through introduction of new brands including Mi, Oppo, OnePlus, CAT, and Moto.• Secured pre-approved capital expenditure from Operators leading to additional revenue through economic modelling analytics to ratify future technology investment across all key account.

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  Samsung Electronics

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Vice President - Mobile

    • Mar 2002 - Jul 2007
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Reproting the the CEO, BU responsible, covering the SADAC (Africa trade zone region)-Grew Samsung share in S Africa from 3% to 23% market share in 36 months. (turnover $470 million). •Managed a team of 35 staff. •Fastest Growing Branch office in the world 2 years running (510% sales increase).•Awarded ‘the International Samsung Gold Awarded’ by Mr Youn CEO of Samsung Electronics – Seoul - HQ•Implemented ‘Hero Model’ price segment strategy. Encompassing all aspects of martketing, distribution and sales. Resulting is thee single most influential mechanism to touch end users•Re Design Brand position and GTM sell in – sell out •Launched Achievement Awards – salesman loyalty program

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  Ericsson

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Director Consumer Products

    • Jun 1997 - Feb 2002
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Ericsson and later Sony Ericsson mobile phone sales, distribution and marketing across Sub Sahara AfricaEricsson Account Manager - Econet; (Mobile Network Infrastrucutre Project) 1 year spent in Nigeria rolling out the Econet GSM network

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  Panasonic

  • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

  • Senior Product Manager - Telecomms

    • 1993 - 1997
    • Johannesburg Area, South Africa

    Sales, marketing and distribution on mobile phones

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  Panasonic UK

  • Newbury , United Kingdom

  • Market Coordinator Europe + Africa

    • 1991 - 1993
    • Newbury , United Kingdom