Background and experience

 

A serial retiree, but with some fifty years IT and telecoms experience and a mission to help communities get the better broadband and mobile connectivity they need and want.

 

After 15 years in a variety of technical and sales roles working for ICL, the then UK computer industry, in the UK, Europe, the Indian sub-continent and the USA, David transitioned to the fledgling competive telecoms market in the USA. As VP worldwide for Western Union, he brought the first commercial email system to the UK, initiated the global WU Money Transfer service and ran their private satellite network. Moving to MCI in the role of International Business Development, he worked with 'father of the internet' Vint Cerf on the globalisation of MCI Mail, and the introduction of the first competive international phone services. He then founded and ran a global network for the financial community via FNA, a Brussels based joint venture of 15 global telcos.

 

Having retired the first time to partake in the Clipper 98 round-the-world yacht race, he then formed (and subsequently took public) Offshore Telecom PLC. After a second retirement 10 years ago, he founded a satellite based tracking company. Retiring again in 2010, he became increasing frustrated with the state of rural broadband, forming Wansdyke Telecom and demonstrating how true Gigabit services could transform the rural economy. The passion continues!