Batelco

Gert Rieder

Dr. Ghassan was appointed as Chief Financial Officer - Bahrain in September 2010. Since joining BATELCO in November 1996, Dr. Ghassan was predominantly responsible for leading inorganic New Business Development and M&A transactional activities in the region, culminating in the role of Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for the Middle East and Africa region. Dr. Ghassan has managed and structured various Telecom license bids, and was also actively involved in a number of successful acquisitions of buying Telecom companies. He also held Board positions in a number of BATELCO’s operational investments in Kuwait (Qualitynet), Jordan (Batelco-Jordan), and currently India (S Tel).  Dr. Ghassan’s financial planning and modelling, Telecoms corporate finance, corporate valuation and M&A transactional experience over the last 12 years with the BATELCO Group is complemented with a strong academic background. He holds a Bachelor degree in Control Engineering, an MSc in Control Systems from the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine (London) and a PhD in Control Systems Theory from the University of Leicester (UK). Before joining BATELCO, Dr. Ghassan worked in the United Kingdom as a Research Associate at the University of Leicester. He was engaged in applied research into the theory of Advanced Control Systems, whereby his research projects were associated with large industrial sponsors from Holland and the United Kingdom.

Ebrahim Zainal, having joined Batelco as a trainee technician in 1970, achieved his B.Eng and C.Eng while combining study with work. He has held various positions including General Manager Internal Services and GM of Network Operations prior to his role being expanded to include Network Development in 2003 and Information Technology in 2008, with the task to meet the continual changes within the organisation. Ebrahim, who currently holds the post of Chief Technical Officer, was the driving force in Batelco’s major NGN implementation project which was completed in January 2009 making Bahrain the first country in the world with complete nation-wide Broadband access.

John Ford worked at Batelco from 1980 to 1982 and again from 1988 to 1992, while employed by Cable & Wireless. Having left C&W, he returned to Batelco in 2001 to join the Engineering Department prior to entering the Corporate, Legal and Regulatory Affairs Department in 2004. In 2006 he moved to a new position to deal with wholesale customers (Batelco competitors) in Bahrain and foreign administrations, a dynamic area of the company which has evolved significantly since the advent of competition. He has over 15 years of competitive experience both as a start-up operator, incumbent and supplier which gives him an edge as Batelco faces increasing competition from new entrants in the telecom market in Bahrain.

Muna Al Hashemi has risen through the ranks at Batelco, having joined the Company in 1994. With a Masters degree in Telecommunications and a BSc in Electronic Engineering, Muna began her career in the Engineering Department and gained invaluable experience as she progressed through a number of divisions, including Customer Services, Accounts, Product Marketing, Product Development and Customer Marketing. The depth of knowledge of various functional units and processes that Muna has gained in her diverse roles has prepared her well for her current challenging task of heading up the busy Consumer Division.

Adel Daylami is responsible for the delivery of relevant products and services for Batelco’s business customers and ensuring round the clock support in order for them to operate their businesses seamlessly and efficiently. Since joining Batelco in 1989 he has held various roles including Head of Fixed Services, Senior Manager Business Product portfolio, Director International Operation & Business Marketing, CEO Batelco Jordan, acting GM Business Sales & Products and GM Product & Services Division. Adel was a key player in setting up Broadband Bahrain and ICT & Network Rationalisation Strategies. Among many key achievements, he managed, launched and successfully implemented Batelco’s Internet Services from its concept stage through to establishing its current exceptional user base. Mr. Daylami holds a Master’s in Business Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing and a BSc in Electrical & Electronics Engineering.

Mohammed Bubshait is leading the development and product management of all existing and new services that are distributed via the retail Consumer and Enterprise channels, to the market. Having joined Batelco as a manager of Internet & Informatics platforms in 1999, he has held various positions including Senior Manager Core networks and NGN, Senior Manager Networks and IT Strategy and GM of Fixed Networks development & Operations. Mohammed was appointed as the NGN Programme manager in 2005 and was a driving force in Batelco’s major NGN implementation programme, which was completed in January 2009, making Bahrain the first country in the world with complete nation-wide Broadband access. Mohammed holds a Master’s in Networks & a BSc in Math & Computer Engineering.

Suhaila Al Nowakhda, who joined Batelco in 1992 as a Management Services Analyst, completed a BSC from U.O.B while holding down her full time job. In 1998, she was transferred to the Remuneration & Benefits Department where she built up a wide experience in HR policies and procedures before completing a Postgraduate Diploma from Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in 2005. Since 2005, Suhaila has held a number of senior roles in the HR Department including Senior Manager HR Bahrain with the responsibility for Recruitment & Manpower, HR Operations & Systems, HR Policies & Reviews, Industrial Relations, and Buildings Projects & Support. In her role as GM of Human Resources Bahrain, Suhaila has full responsibility for all HR issues for the Bahrain Operation.