Peter Ford ... graduated from the university of Glamorgan in 1993, with a Masters Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In order to fund his progress through university, Peter worked part time developing software at British Gas, for a number of their real time systems. (However when real time meant Rise Times of four hours, a telemetry system running at 600bps and people still debating whether Closed Loop control was a good thing, he sought a brighter future elsewhere.)
After graduation, Peter joined Hutchison Microtel's Engineering department and worked with Nokia and Motorola to develop handsets for the launch of Orange in 1994. For six years Peter worked in and managed the Engineering team at Orange and was responsible for all aspects of handset development, from product definition, specification, test and type approval to manufacturing quality control, with all the major handset vendors.
In 1999, Peter joined the Marketing team at Orange and managed the Handset and SIM portfolio, overseeing a shift in portfolio approach from acquisition to value based retention.
Following Orange's international expansion and acquisition by France Telecom, Peter was invited, in 2001, to manage the Orange Group function responsible for Device Strategy across the international footprint. In this role, Peter was the driving force behind the Orange Signature strategy, which has subsequently been adopted by France Telecom as a key strategic programme for both fixed and mobile businesses.
Peter joined Toshiba's Mobile Communications Division in 2005, where he was responsible for all aspects of the marketing mix for both consumer and business segments, across EMEA. Peter developed the divisions European turn around strategy and implemented a portfolio and segmented marketing approach, which delivered an expanded sales footprint across EMEA and significantly improved the financial performance of the division.
In April 2007, Peter left Toshiba to start his own Strategy and Marketing Consultancy.
ASSOCIATES:
Peter Cannistra ... served as Vice President, Embedded Devices and Business Development at Clearwire, a wireless broadband carrier in Kirkland, Washington. In that role, he drove company’s 4G embedded device strategy, including deal making with major laptop and consumer electronics companies, negotiating national distribution deals and implementing marketing strategy for laptops, netbooks and other devices with 4G wireless broadband capability. In addition, he was responsible for negotiating new wholesale agreements with new MVNO wholesale partners across the country.
Peter was Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Sprint in Kansas City, MO and Herndon, VA, where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and negotiations for the Sprint’s 4G wireless data business unit. In that role, he negotiated Google internet services contract that provided innovative product portfolio and significant advertising revenue share for Sprint (this deal was the basis for Google’s $500MM investment in Clearwire). He also collaborated with Intel and notebook OEM companies to form relationships to effectuate notebook PCs embedded with WiMAX 4G technology, negotiated and cultivated strategic partners for embedded consumer electronic devices, spearheaded innovative trials and product partnerships (Sony, Disney, HP, etc) and acquired and licensed content from world class partners (NBC, ABC/ESPN, Fox Interactive, Viacom, etc). Other roles in Peter’s 10-year tenure at Sprint included Corporate Finance, Corporate Strategy, Product Development, Spectrum Management and Operations.
Peter has also worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO in Corporate Finance and started and operated his own successful bagel store chain in Houston, Texas that culminated in a profitable sale of the entire operation.
Peter holds a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Kansas, and a Masters in Business Administration with a Finance Concentration from the University of Kansas. Peter, his wife and four children live in Redmond, Washington, USA.
John D. Curtis Jr. ... co-founded Stelera Wireless, a pioneer in HSPA+ technology and a regional broadband service provider, where he served in a number of executive roles including CEO and CTO.
In 2008, Stelera and Nokia Siemens Networks deployed the first flat, all–IP HSPA network and launched the first commercial 7.2 Mbps HSPA network in the North American AWS spectrum band. Previously, Mr. Curtis led Corporate Development for Syniverse Technologies (NYSE: SVR) where he was responsible for strategy, M&A, and helping to guide the company’s successful IPO in 2005. Prior to joining Syniverse, Mr. Curtis was an investment banker at CIBC World Markets in New York City.
Mr. Curtis holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Graham Fisher ... is a telecommunications and innovation consultant bringing over 20 years practical product development and R&D experience in the telecommunications sector.
After graduating from the University of Bath (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) in 1997 he acquired a strong background in Radio Frequency engineering, Terminal Equipment Development and R&D management through working in leading telecommunications companies.
Initially working for THORN EMI he moved to Unitel (now T-Mobile UK) at the start of the GSM revolution and for over 15 years held several technical, operational and leadership roles within the France Telecom / Orange group of companies.
Amongst the products he delivered from concept to introduction are the world’s first approved GSM 1800MHz handset, the first dual band (900/1800 MHz) handset and the first mobile videophone.
Until 2010 he was Managing Director of France Telecom R&D UK Ltd (the UK R&D laboratory for the France Telecom / Orange Group) responsible for conducting research and development in support of Orange and Orange Business Services. He led the 80 person strong lab for over 5 years achieving a sustained period of growth and success.
Graham is a Chartered Engineer and a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET). He is also currently serving as a member of the board of directors of Cambridge Wireless.
Graham is well known within the telecommunications and innovation arenas and is a regular speaker and participant at industry events either in his own right or as a representative of Cambridge Wireless.
Andy King ... has over 20 years experience in elite sports sponsorship, covering golf, football, rugby, horse racing and all forms of motor sport, through to Formula 1. During this period, Andy has been responsible for the sourcing, placement and activation of over £120 million worth of sponsorship and has worked with some of the worlds largest brands, including Jaguar, Volvo, Nissan, Red Bull, Orange, Reebok, Sunseeker, Ed Dunlop Stables, Dell, Ericsson, Toshiba and Oasis, to name a few.
Andy provides independent, expert sponsorship consultancy to companies and rights holders, covering sponsorship strategy, negotiation and activation across sports, the arts and music and provides Marketing support to automotive brands on a range of topics.
Roland Selmer ... is an MBA qualified product and marketing executive, with over 10 years experience of delivering profitable convergence, fixed and mobile broadband propositions, in both mature and emerging markets. Previously at Orange, France Telecom, Qubee and most recently LightSquared, Roland has conceived and delivered retail and wholesale propositions across a variety of technologies, including xDSL, WiFi, WiMAX, 3G and LTE, including the world’s first prepay broadband proposition in emerging markets.
With his extensive knowledge of the challenges facing new entrants as well as incumbents in a variety of market environments, Roland provides consultancy services relating to the lifecycle management of broadband products and propositions.
Roland is also co-founder of RevoMark and SmartIP, providing trademarking and IP asset management web applications to intellectual property professionals.
Justin Thesiger ... has over 12 years experience in the European Mobile Telecoms market working for a Major Network Operator, a Branded Handset Manufacturer and then establishing a successful consultancy business helping overseas companies break into the European market.
Justin joined Orange UK in 1998 as a Buyer, controlling an annual spend of over $750m and was responsible for the commercial relationship with major handset manufacturers; Nokia, SonyEricsson, Motorola and Samsung. During Justin’s 8-year tenure at Orange, He worked in various commercial roles and ultimately managed the commercial introduction of 3G devices across all Orange Group countries for their parent company, France Telecom. During his time at Orange/France Telecom, Justin gained an a precise understanding of Operator’s commercial needs for the introduction of new product(s) from both incumbent suppliers and new entrants.
After leaving Orange, Justin took his Operator knowledge and applied it very successfully working for Palm Europe Limited, where He was responsible for selling the Palm Treo smartphone to Vodafone, Telefoncia O2 and Hutchison 3G. He handled the commercial negotiation, global framework agreement and local country countries with Vodafone. He was responsible for negotiated contracts with both Telefoncia O2 UK and Hutchison 3G Global.
In 2008, after over 4 years working for Palm Europe, Justin set up a Sales Strategy & Business Development consultancy, providing European support to a diverse client base, including handset manufacturers, mobile application developers and disruptive software technology start-ups. Justin has extensive knowledge of the sales process and contract negotiation gained through the lens of both Operator and Supplier activities and would provide any company with an invaluable insight into the commercial dealings of European Network Operators & Distributors.
