CURRICULUM VITAE:PAUL DINSMORE

A professional telecommunications industry executive with

25+ years’ experience in North America, Europe, Middle

East and Africa.

Executive positions with companies such as Nortel, Cable &

Wireless, Symantec, UUNET (now MTN business), COMVIVA.

Based in Johannesburg since 1997, focussed on working

in and with the African telecommunications industry, and

access to this market for North American, Asian and

European clients.

Experience includes Executive management, start-ups,

corporate turn rounds, Strategy consulting and Corporate

listings on the JSE.

SENIOR CORPORATE EXPERIENCE

Director Premier

Accounts EMEA

Managing Director

Northern IrelandDirector Service

Providers EMEA

SVP Global

Client Services

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Africa

VP Africa

TALKNETAFRICA

Chief Executive Officer

TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE

BroadbandISP

Fixed LineEnterprise

IOT/M2M

Cloud

Mobile Financial Services

Security

Software and BSS

Wholesale

Consumer

Broadcast/TV

Mobile

KEY STRENGTHS

AND SKILLS

Extensive Technology

Expertise

Operational and Strategic Experience

Vendor and Operator

Experience

Global Experience

Market and Region

Knowledge

Start-Ups/IPO

Excellent Team

Builder

Multi-Cultural Working

Environments

DETAILED EMPLOYMENT

HISTORY

DINSMORE & ASSOCIATES – DIRECTORAPRIL 2009 - DATE

• Dinsmore & Associates is a Telecommunications strategy consulting company, focussed on

providing strategic access services to International companies wanting to access African

telecommunications sector opportunities.

• Completed projects and main recent clients include:

• MAHINDRA COMVIVA, INDIA

• During 2015 I fulfilled the function of VP Africa for Mahindra Comviva building the team and strategy for the

Telco, Financial Services and Retail markets. The role consisted of:

• FY2015/2016 Africa Region target was US$ 72 million with stretch target of US$ 85 million

• In addition I represented Comviva on the Tech Mahindra Group (includes Tech M, Comviva, LCC/Leadcom

and Sofgen) African Leaders Executive Team, tasked with delivering cross Business opportunities to deliver on

Africa Tech M Group target for 2015/16 of US$ 243.46 million and stretch target of US$ 300 million

CLIENTS CONTINUED:

• CYAN HOLDINGS, UK: (2016)• Ongoing assistance to facilitate entry for company into the African Smart Energy market, particularly

looking at opportunities for their Smart Energy platform: www.cyantechnology.com

• REDKNEE, CANADA (2016)• Ongoing project assisting Redknee: www.redknee.com develop opportunities for their BSS,

MVNO/E, IOT/M2M, Energy platforms and software with MTN, Airtel and Econet Wireless.

• IBM, USA (2013/14)• Assisting IBM develop opportunities within MTN. This focused in particular in:

• MTN’s new Enterprise Business Unit

• Group Product and Commercial Division’s

• Technology Group

• Mobile Money

• BSG, South Africa (2013/14)• Working with a local SA Consulting company , BSG : www.bsg.co.za, to create and develop their

Telecoms practice (Mobile, Fixed, ISP and System Integrator targets).

DINSMORE & ASSOCIATES – Director

DINSMORE & ASSOCIATES – DIRECTOR

• Other clients and areas of consulting completed since 2009 include:

• Business Development and contract signing with Telco operators for companies

supplying services such as (clients in brackets):

• National VoIP Interconnect (Talknet Africa, Xconnect)

• Mobile On Device Services (Cibenix, Fundamo, Affilias)

• Mobile (network and device) security solutions (Adaptive Mobile)

• Social networking and Social media platforms (Fundamo, MTN, Naspers)

• Wireless ISP (WISP) “in a box” solutions (Azotel, COMSOL)

• Cloud based and Managed Services Platforms/Applications

platforms (IBM, Mahindra Comviva, Xlink, MTN, Internet Solutions)

• Assisting local SA company develop opportunities for their IPTV/STB applications

(Hambisana, Altech, Naspers/Multichoice)

CAPITEL, CEO2007 - 2009

• Capitel was a company focussed on setting up a Telecom

operator in Mozambique.

• As CEO I was able to negotiate acquisition of both a National

(Wi-Max/LTE) and International Gateway licence for Capitel

• Also negotiated contract to be the Exclusive Landing Partner for

the Seacom undersea cable in Mozambique

• Ultimately sold licences to Seacom

TALKNET AFRICA, CEO2005 -2006

• During 2005/06 I was appointed as CEO of Talknet Africa, with a

focus of setting up one of the first VOIP operations in South Africa.

• Talknet Africa was the subsidiary of an Australian VOIP Operator

• Achievements:

• Talknet Africa was very successful, thanks to a quality network in signing

a significant number of clients, particularly in the Call Centre sector

• At the end of my tenure as CEO, the company was sold to Vodacom

RADIALPOINT – SVP GLOBAL CLIENT SERVICES 2004

• During 2004 I worked for Radialpoint (www.radialpoint.com) in

Montreal, Canada as SVP Global Client Services, setting up their

Sales and Account Management infrastructure for VASS (Value

Added Security Services) solutions to Network Operators.

• Achievements include:

• Setting up USA and EMEA Operations

• Securing new clients including, Virgin Media, Comcast, Rogers

WEBTEC – CEO 2002 – 2004

• WebTec was set up by myself and a partner as a software development house,

focused on the development of a platform allowing for software to be offered

on a “Pay as You Go” basis i.e. Software as a Service (SaaS).This was initially

deployed in the IT security market with Service Providers offering Personal

Firewall and Anti-virus packages via monthly subscription.

• As CEO, I was responsible for Strategy and Operational Business of the company

• Strategies implemented in my role as CEO included setting up WebTec to offer

WASP (Wireless Application Service Provider) services. These included both SMS

and MMS services, with WebTec developing one of the first capabilities in SA for

offering video content via MMS.

• I also applied successfully for an i-ECNS/ECS licence, which allowed holders to

self-provide and offer a large range of services in direct competition to the

traditional main Operators such as Telkom

WEBTEC (CONT)

• Achievements include:

• Under my leadership, Webtec grew from a start-up business to a company with a

staff complement of 30 people, mixed between Sales, Admin, Technical and

support.

• Launched first subscription based software solution (SaaS) into the SA market.

• Created and developed the Sales and Marketing Division (15 sales / 3 sales

managers)

• Successful conceptualisation, design and launch of South African online portal

solution.

• Conceptualising and marketing of mobile MMS solutions, developed to 500 000+

premium rated requests per month (Mobile content)

• At the end of 2004 it was decided to close down the company, as the speed of

broadband deployment in South Africa was severely restricting SaaS deployments

SYMANTEC – DIRECTOR SERVICE PROVIDERS EMEA

JAN 2000 - NOV 2002• In this role, I was responsible for building a Sales and Support team responsible for

the sales of Symantec products to Service Providers and Telco Operators, to offer to

their subscribers on a SaaS basis. This team was responsible for working both with the

operators but also with the Symantec Development teams to deliver the platforms and

applications/products required by the customers of these Service Providers.

• Achievements:

• During my tenure EMEA was the most successful region, culminating in several significant contracts including with T-Online(Annualised Contract Value of US$ 6

million) and Telenor (Annualised Contract Value of US$ 3 million), as well as a

contract with MWeb in SA.

• I was responsible for establishing Strategic Partnerships & Business Alliances with operators such as BT

• Panellist and Speaker at various ASP / ISP / Telecoms conferences across EMEA.

SECUREDATA - CEO1998 – 1999

• Securedata is a South African supplier of IT security software and services to the Consumer and

Corporate markets and the Exclusive Distributor in Sub Saharan Africa for Trend Micro Products.

• As CEO, was initially responsible for the set up of Securedata ( www.securedata.com) and taking

it to a listing on the JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange, 1998).

• Achievements include

• Managing a staff of 50 people, made up of Development, Support, Sales and Admin Staff

• Leading up to the company listing, heading up the Securedata Team on the Investor

Roadshow, which led to our listing being fully subscribed prior to listing and resulting in

several significant Investment Houses as Shareholders in Securedata.

• Thereafter I was responsible for Strategy and Operational control as well as interfacing with

the JSE, Board and Shareholders.

• Revenues were grown from a start of US$ 2 million to US$ 5 million.

• After a year we sold Securedata to another listed entity ERP.com Holdings. ERP.com Holdings

changed its name to Securedata Holdings and was acquired by Tarsus in 2015

UUNET INTERNET AFRICA – CEO1997 – 1998

• I was recruited out of my position in the UK to move to South Africa to take up this CEO role.

• At my time of joining UUNET Internet Africa was the largest ISP in SA, as a result of a merger between iAfrica (a Dial-up/Consumer business based out of Cape Town) and Pipex Africa (a Corporate focused business based out of Johannesburg). The majority shareholder in the company was the IT listed entity Datatec and the International Service Provider, UUNET, at the time a global leader in Service Provision.

• Achievements:

• Managing a company with a headcount of approximately 250.

• Fulfilling my objective as CEO of integrating these two companies and turn the combined company into a profitable concern.

• Company was turned around from a loss making entity into one of profit generation.

• In 1998 we sold the Dial-up/Consumer side of the business to MWeb, who in turn outsourced their

National network to UUNET.

• This also eventually led to the repositioning of the company for a total buy out by UUNET

from Datatec

MERCURY COMMUNICATIONS( CABLE & WIRELESS)MANAGING DIRECTOR NORTHERN IRELAND

1991 – 1997• Mercury Communications was set up as the Second National Operator in U.K. My role as

CEO included the key duties of customer acquisition and satisfaction growth, as well as the

management of a team of 50 sales, marketing, customer support, technical and finance

personnel.

• Achievements include:

• As MD, I was responsible for completion and approval of new 3 Year Business Plan that

culminating in major additional investment in NI by Mercury and Mercury competing

directly against BT over a vast range of products and services.

• This resulted in an increase in network revenues by 60% to GBP 15 million and CPE

revenue increase from £ 1.5 million to £ 6 million per annum.

• During my time at Mercury in N.Ireland I was Elected to Regional Council of CBI

(Confederation of British Industry) and the Regional Council of IOD (Institute of

Directors).

• On a number of occasions I was asked by Queens University Belfast and University of

Ulster Business Schools to lecture to students on Business Turn Around Methods.

NORTEL – DIRECTOR PREMIER ACCOUNTS EMEA1985 – 1991

• Nortel was a Canadian leading manufacturer and supplier of Voice and Data

products and services globally.

• From 1985 – 1987 I worked as Regional Sales Manager in Bahrain, UAE.

• I returned to the UK in 1987 to take up position as the Director of the Premier

Accounts programme in EMEA. In this position, I managed a group which

by1991 was responsible for achieving revenue of US$ 45 million via existing

accounts and new business opportunities. I set up a Premier Account Team

across EMEA to deliver solutions to these customers.

• Services offered by this group ranged from basic telephone instruments to

global voice/data Networks.

• At the time of my appointment I was the youngest ever Director level individual

in Nortel.

QUALIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS• Left school to join the military with GCSE passes in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Geography

and Economics.

• Officer in the Royal Marines, which included Leadership and Management courses at Military Training

Establishments. Left Royal Marines to pursue career initially in banking.

• Qualified to the Institute of Bankers

• Banking industry training including International Management Techniques and Skills at Bank of Nova Scotia, as

well as various Presentation, Management and Leadership courses whilst in Banking Industry

• Cranfield College Effective Management Course at Nortel

• Various Technical and Sales training Courses at Nortel

• Sales, Product Management, Customer Service and Management courses at Mercury Communications

• Cable & Wireless Global Leadership Programme

• Whilst at Mercury Communications lectured at the Queens University Belfast and University of Ulster Business

Schools on production of Business Plans and Business Turn around initiatives, using Mercury N.Ireland as a Case

Study

• During my time at Mercury in NI, I was elected to Regional Council of CBI (Confederation of British Industry) and

the Regional Council of IOD (Institute of Directors).

• In these roles I was heavily involved in both the Social and Economic development process in N.Ireland, as well

as working with the political parties in attempts to use Economic development as a means of securing a

settlement to the violence in Northern Ireland.

REFERENCES

• Mike van den Bergh, CEO PCCW (Hong

Kong) Global

MvandenBergh@pccwglobal.com

• Angus MacRobert, ex MD of Internet

Solutions and Vox Telecom

Angus@macrobert.biz

• Derek Wilcocks, CIO Dimension Data

Derek.Wilcocks@za.didata.com

• Niezaam Davids, Owner and CEO Optimus

Investments and ex Head of Strategy, M&A at

Vodacom

Niezaam.davids@optimusinvestments.co.za

• Tim Parsonson, Executive Director and co-founder

Teraco

• Tim now based in UK but still contactable at

tim@teraco.co.za

• Prenesh Padayachee, MD Openserve at Telkom

preneshp@openserve.co.za

A number of references are available. Detailed below are several

contacts who are happy to provide a reference for my skills and experience. Linked in address: za.linkedin.com/in/pauldinsmore

PERSONAL DETAILS

•Born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland

• Schooling: Coleraine Academic Institution, Coleraine

•British and Irish passport holder

• South African permanent Resident

•Married with 3 daughters (one living at home).

•Currently living in Johannesburg, South Africa

INTERESTS AND HOBBIES

Rower since schooldays, rowed as stroke in

winning Coleraine Inst crew in Irish school

championships and stroke of the Irish 8 in

the same year

Passionate family man, with a South African

wife and three daughters