Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa (VMMEA) has appointed Alan Gow as the Group CEO, to strengthen the existing management team. He will be based at the Group’s regional HQ in Dubai, UAE.
Gow comes with an extensive Virgin senior leadership profile, having been a co-founder of the original Virgin Mobile in the UK alongside Richard Branson, and an architect of the company’s economic model as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).
Gow said, “I am thrilled that my Virgin Mobile journey has brought me to the UAE to lead the dynamic Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa team. The Middle East and Africa region is entering an exciting phase in its evolution, and I look forward to working with this highly talented team as we pursue a strategy of digital transformation, and drive the launch of innovative products and services that put our people and customer experience at the heart of everything we do.”
Gow brings a wealth of experience in leading the Virgin Mobile brand into new markets, having been instrumental in growing Virgin Mobile in the UK from a start-up to a $1 billion company in just under four years. He was also responsible for steering the company through a series of funding rounds and a highly successful IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2004. This was followed in 2006 with a $1.6 billion sale transaction to create the ‘Virgin Media’ group in the UK, a world leader in converged communications technologies.
He has subsequently advised on Virgin Mobile’s Latin American roll-out, and led the company’s expansion in Central and Eastern Europe as Group Chief Executive Officer.
Sir Richard Branson said, “Gow has been a key member of the Virgin Mobile family from the very beginning of the company and has delivered stunning results for the Group time and time again. With such an experienced and proven pair of hands at the helm I have no doubt that there will be exciting times ahead as Gow and his team lead the way in innovation and continue to shake up the telecoms industry in the region.”
Mikkel Vinter remains in post as Founder and Director for Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa.
