Seacom names new CEO

TELECOMS

Industry veteran Mark Simpson has been named the new CEO of undersea cable firm Seacom.

The appointment will come into effect on 5 September, with Brian Herlihy taking on the new role of strategic director.

With more than 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Mark Simpson has held a number of senior international executive positions during his career, most recently as President and CEO of Pacific Crossing, a company operating a trans-Pacific cable system between the United States and Japan. He was also COO and CTO at Asia Netcom (now Pacnet) and CEO of C2C Pte Ltd, Asia's then largest cable system.

Commenting on his appointment,  Simpson said: “The SEACOM system has changed the African ICT landscape and I am pleased to be joining a market shaping company with a firm plan to evolve its core infrastructure and lead Africa into the next stage of ICT Growth.

Seacom says Simpson will be responsible for leading the company into a new era of data-based projects and growth assisted by Herlihy. In addition he will bring to bear his operational know-how in developing and running a best-in-class quality of service international network.

In his new capacity as Executive Director, Herlihy will retain a key role in the strategic direction of the company. He said: “I am confident that our cooperation will provide me the capacity to pursue the correct partnerships necessary for Seacom’s vision to truly lead the development of the African Internet.”