GCI has strengthened its Board and growth strategy with the appointment of Ian Brown (pictured) as Chairman. Acknowledged as an established entrepreneur and business leader, Brown has been operating in the technology, telecommunications and services sectors for 30 years and is highly experienced in obtaining growth from businesses, corporate finance, strategy, and general management.
He commented: "I am looking forward to working closely with Wayne and the team at GCI, my interests are firmly rooted in working with businesses that are seeking to grow and develop and GCI certainly personify this."
Brown's current role is CEO of Axell Wireless, a company he created through the acquisition and merger of AFL from the UK, Avitec AB of Sweden and Dekolink of Israel.
Today, Axell operates out of 16 offices across the globe and has become one of the leading manufacturers of wireless coverage and capacity solutions exporting products to over 150 countries. In May 2013 Axell was acquired by defence technology giant Cobham plc for £85m. ??Prior to Axell Brown was CEO of Redstone, a LSE quoted communications services provider with approximately £80m of revenues and 500 staff.
And prior to this in 1995 Ian formed and led another management buy in of two companies to create Fastnet Group, that he grew to become one of the UK's leading network and communications services companies. Fastnet was sold to Redstone in 2000 returning institutional investors 10 x their original investment. ??Brown's early career included key positions at 3Com and Hewlett Packard. He also operates an independent business advisory practice Consilium Associates Ltd.
GCI's CEO, Wayne Martinadded: "We are thrilled to have Ian on board and feel confident that he will help refine our strategy of continuous improvement and work with us to build a successful future for GCI."