London, 13th March 2023 – Avanti Communications (“Avanti”) today strengthens its senior leadership team adding two new members to the Executive Committee.
Donald Walker, Senior VP of Government and Defence and Marios Fotiou, Senior VP of Solutions Engineering and Delivery join Avanti’s executive team with immediate effect.
Following 16 years of combined service, these appointments recognise the contribution Donald and Marios have made to the business as Avanti pursues ambitious growth targets for 2023.
Donald Walker joined Avanti in 2017, where he was responsible for developing and delivering services in support of military customers and for growing Avanti’s Defence business in the US, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Significant partnerships were formed under Donald’s leadership that allowed Avanti to create and grow a Defence business that delivers critical communications support to military and Government users across EMEA.
Prior to joining Avanti, Donald spent 18 years as a naval officer where he served at sea, undertook staff tours across the Ministry of Defence, served ashore in Iraq, India and Pakistan and on operations with NATO and the EU. On leaving the Navy, Donald spent several years in the commercial world in various roles, including delivering logistics support to US, UK, NATO and EU operations across Africa and the Middle East for the Supreme Group and DynCorp International.
Based out of Cyprus, Marios will oversee the Solutions Engineering & Delivery Department across all of Avanti’s offices, including London, Goonhilly, Cyprus, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. As Senior VP, he will be responsible for ensuring Avanti provides the best-in-class engineering and support to customers.
With more than a decade of experience in space systems engineering, Marios has been instrumental in the development of Avanti’s satellite network as well as leading the delivery of the HYLAS 4 satellite in orbit in 2018. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in building a strong Solutions Engineering function that has successfully supported the closure and delivery of major contracts in all areas of the business. Before joining Avanti in 2011, Marios worked for the first private mobile telephony network operator in Cyprus, as well as regional satellite service providers in the fixed and maritime sector.
Kyle Whitehall, CEO of Avanti Communications said: “I’m delighted Donald and Marios are joining Avanti’s senior leadership team. After many years of hard-work and tenacity, their promotions are testament to the impact they have had, and the key role their departments continue to play for the business. It is an exciting time at Avanti as we continue to build the business with our customers’ needs at front of mind. I have no doubt that Donald and Marios will be instrumental in this journey and I look forward to watching them thrive.”
ENDS