Hugo van Zyl appointed as Manx Telecom Chief Technology Officer

Manx Telecom is pleased to announce the appointment of Hugo van Zyl to the role of Chief Technology Officer.

Hugo joins Manx Telecom from his native South Africa where he has held a number of managerial and senior leadership positions, including Chief Technology and Systems Officer with Telkom’s wholesale and networks division, Openserve and, most recently, Managing Executive for Mobile Networks in Telkom’s consumer division.

Similar to Manx Telecom, Telkom is the incumbent telecommunications company in South Africa and Hugo has been part of the leadership team that has seen the organisation transition from an engineering-led business to become a more customer-focused company.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the telecoms industry, Hugo began his career after graduating with a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Johannesburg.

He has since worked with some of the biggest names in the sector and across many fields of operation including fixed and mobile communications, networks and IT, ethernet, IP and solution architecture while also contributing as a trained coach and culture champion.

“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to gain an end-to-end view of telecoms networks and operations which will be very useful in my new role at Manx Telecom,” said Hugo.

“I have already been impressed with the culture of the business here, its technical capabilities and its commitment to being part of the local community.

“I feel energized about opportunities for the Island’s future and how Manx Telecom can continue to deliver excellent communications and connectivity for the Island’s residents and businesses.”

Commenting on the appointment, Manx Telecom CEO Gary Lamb said, “Hugo has an outstanding telecommunications pedigree earned with some of the premier South African telecoms businesses.

“His skill at driving commercial and technical alignment across organisations, as well as his experience in other forward-looking customer-focused companies, will be very valuable in his role as CTO as we move forward in an increasingly complex market. Hugo has moved to the Island with his family and we are very pleased to give them all a warm welcome.’