Page 60 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

digital behavior and empirical survey data, in the four Southeast Asia** markets with detailed analysis and profiles of 43 unique
the study is the result of research carried insights collected from a sample of 32,245 OTT platforms. The report will be updated
out between January 20 to April 11, 2020 individuals. The report also includes again in Q3 and Q4 2020.

Yahsat Names Andrew Cole as New Chief Financial
Officer

Al Yah Satellite Communications His experience during his years in record at all finance and operational leadership levels,
Company (Yahsat), the leading an external advisory role includes and I am sure he will bring great value to Yahsat.”
UAE-based global satellite operator, M&A and Financing, Corporate Andrew said, “Yahsat is a young, ambitious company
announced that its Board of Directors Restructuring, Commercial Planning, that has grown exponentially in a short span of time. I
has appointed Andrew Cole as Chief Tax, Treasury, Audit & Accounting as am delighted to join its dynamic leadership team at a
Financial Officer (CFO). He will assume well as Risk Management. Andrew is most exciting phase, and thank the Board of Directors
the position from 1 July onwards. a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered for the confidence they have placed in me. I look
Andrew joins Yahsat soon after the Accountants in England and Wales forward to working with its multicultural workforce,
company boosted its leadership with (ICAEW). He has an Executive MBA and together we aim to continue the legacy and
four Emirati executive appointments degree from Ecole Nationale des deliver a strong future for the company.”
to lead its government, commercial, Ponts et Chaussées and a Post
operational and technical business Graduate certificate in International
units. Andrew has 25 years of cross- Business from the University of
sector experience in senior finance, Edinburgh. He succeeds the current
operational and advisory roles. From CFO, Balakrishnan Doraisamy, who
2015 to 2019, he was the Group will be retiring, having served Yahsat
Financial Controller at SES, a company for almost 12 years. Balakrishnan will
with a constellation of Geostationary continue to be part of the company as
and Medium Earth Orbit Satellites. Strategic Advisor. Masood M. Sharif
His primary functions covered Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer
all aspects of Finance including of Yahsat, said, “I am most happy
Financial Planning, Governance, Risk to welcome Andrew into our midst
(including satellite insurance) and as the new CFO of Yahsat. As we
Compliance, Accounting and Global continue to intensify our expansion
Controlling operations. He has also program across the globe, Andrew’s
worked for EY and KPMG London wealth of experience, especially in
as an external auditor and business the satellite sector, will be highly
advisor to many global enterprises. beneficial to us. He has an excellent

Zain KSA, Mobily to Establish a Joint Tower
Company

Zain KSA has signed a non-binding two companies, merge them into one and Information Technology Commission
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) company with other investors or operate (CITC). The agreement is subject to
with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) for the them on their behalf. The collaboration aims regulatory approvals and conditions, as
establishment of a joint committee tasked to ‘raise participation in telecom towers well as internal approvals.
with preparing a request for proposal (RFP) to achieve maximum efficiency’, under
to buy the telecoms towers owned by the the supervision of the Communications

60 JUNE-JULY 2020