The Dubai based Koohiji Group has announced the appointment of David Townshend as COO of two of its strategic business units. The South African national will handle all operations for Globalnet, the authorized distributors for Motorola in the UAE, and Komtel, the distributors for Panasonic in Iran.
Townshend has 12 years of experience in the world of telecommunications and related convergence. He was a founder member of MTN, South Africa’s premiere mobile network operator, where he played a crucial role in rolling out MTN’s highly successful dealer, retail and wholesale distribution network. He has also held the positions of commercial director for Celtel, Uganda and executive head of regions for Altech Autopage Cellular in South Africa.
“David comes to us with years of valuable experience in handling mobile telecommunications in developing markets,” said SS Rajkumar, CEO of the Koohiji Group. “In addition to being a founder member of MTN, he is also the man who relaunched Altech Autopage in Uganda and successfully turned around Celtel. He jealously guards the financial bottom-line and makes a habit of regularly exceeding forecasts. He is a big asset for us,” said SS Rajkumar.
“I like to keep things simple and prefer to manage people’s outputs as opposed to their inputs,” said Townshend about his leadership style. “Failing to plan is planning to fail,” he said.
David prefers to work to five year plans, but given the ever changing nature of the telecommunications industry he believes it is crucial to revaluate and the readjust business plans week on week, month on month, year on year. “An overall guideline is important to move the business forward, but one has to be flexible, adaptable and quick lest opportunities go a-begging,” he said.
David is married to Tracey and they have four children - three daughters and a son. An entrepreneurial streak characterises Townshend who owns a clothing business back in South Africa. The business which he and his wife purchased in 2002 is a well known brand in Pietermaritzburg, the capital of KwaZulu-Natal Province. “The business runs itself now,” he said, “and that allows us to keep in touch with the world of telecoms and related convergence industries.”
ABOUT KOOHIJI GROUP:
Based in Dubai, the Koohiji Group was established in 1985 with the objective of developing the markets of Iran and the UAE for international brands. Over the years, the Koohiji Group has developed into an efficient marketing operation with a diverse portfolio of products including telecommunication & office automation products, wireless communication products and HVAC equipment. Enhancing customer care activity, especially in the telecommunication area, is a major area of focus. Koohiji Group operates under five strategic business units - Komtell LLC (Telecommunication), Globalnet LLC (Wireless Communication Products), Technocare LLC (Customer Care), Digital City (Mobile Digital Entertainment Content) and Royal Gulf LLC (Air-conditioning).
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