Although the Independent Communications Authority of SA has yet to approve the Blue Label Investment (BLI) stakeholder buyout of Wireless Business Solutions (WBS), Alan Knott-Craig Jr has been appointed as MD.
WBS previously had C-level executives: Thami Mtshali, primary spokesperson for the company, moved from COO to CEO when Mlungisi Hlongwane left to take up positions in local government and the South African National Civic Organisation; and Sason Parvin, the organisation`s CTO.
The company believes the new MD role will help drive operational efficiency.
Knott-Craig Jr was appointed at WBS`s request. Explains Mtshali: "We needed someone to build us up on our operations side, so we asked BLI to put forward recommendations. For us, Alan was the best fit."
Until December 2005, Knott-Craig Jr was managing director at wireless application service provider, CellFind. He says he is used to dealing with industry speculation over his familial ties to Vodacom CEO Alan Knott-Craig Sr.
"It is a topic that has come up as at the end of the day it is people who do business with people, not companies with companies. Nevertheless, I have been able to overcome this through strong beliefs in corporate governance, ethics and integrity. As is shown through CellFind`s ongoing relationships with Vodacom, MTN and Cell C," he explains.
BLI is led by founding brothers, Mark and Brett Levy, and the deal is expected to add to WBS`s empowerment status.
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