Bharti-backed OneWeb has expanded its mobility team with senior appointments in the UK and the US for land and aviation businesses. The company, has strengthened its mobility team under Ben Griffin, VP Mobility Services with a trio of experienced professionals – in the U.K. and U.S.A
Jason Sperry joins OneWeb as director, Business Aviation, based out of Melbourne, Florida. Sperry brings a wealth of experience from the IFC service provision perspective, including significant satellite provider insight spanning both GEO and LEO technologies. At OneWeb, Sperry will be responsible for delivering fibre-like connectivity solutions to business jet owners, operators, and end users – passengers and crew alike. He joins from Satcom Direct (SD), where for the past six years he was director, Strategy and Business, having joined the business in 2016 as director of product management (hardware).
Commenting on the appointment, Sperry, said, “I am pleased to be able to help play a part in our goal to connect business aviation. Inflight connectivity has become ever more important in business aviation, a sector which is sophisticated, technologically advanced, personalised, secure – bringing family, friends and colleagues together in the most efficient way.”
Also, Drew Brandy joins OneWeb as director, Land Mobility after 13 plus years with Inmarsat, latterly as senior VP Maritime, progressing from VP Strategy and Development. Based out of London, Brandy will be responsible for setting and executing OneWeb’s land mobility portfolio strategy, working closely with the mobility team members. He brings considerable experience having worked with several large telecom operators in business and corporate strategy in both North America and Europe.
As per Brandy, “Everyone is talking about OneWeb and the significant change its solutions will bring. I’m looking forward to leading the land mobility team and working closely with mobility colleagues to innovate connectivity and bring improved safety and sustainability through connectivity to trains, buses, trucks and so many other use-cases.”
Stepping up from an initial consultancy role over the past 14 months, Nick Maynard becomes full-time Marketing Director (Mobility), based out of the U.K. Maynard brings more than 25 years’ relevant experience in marketing and communications working out of the U.K. and U.A.E., supporting several blue-chip aviation companies – inhouse and with agencies OgilvyOne and Carlson. Most recently, he served nearly 10 years with Honeywell Aerospace in marketing and comms, latterly as Channel Partner Marketing Manager, building relationships for Honeywell’s valued suppliers around the world.
Meanwhile, Maynard said, “Joining OneWeb, I am working alongside a motivated and talented team committed to realising the mission of connecting people everywhere, on land, at sea and in the air. This matters because OneWeb’s global spaced-based communications network has the power to connect the most remote businesses and communities on Earth. We’re bridging the digital divide, providing the opportunity for people everywhere to realise their full potential.”
Lastly, Ben Griffin, VP Mobility Services, OneWeb, said, “I’m very pleased to be adding to my team with these three stellar professionals. Together, we are working on some exciting strategies and partnerships that will disrupt the mobility connectivity market for years to come. We are focused on driving these forward and sharing our news over the next few months.”
