Former Office of Fair Trading and Oftel director general Sir Bryan Carsberg has joined fast-growing Bath-based tech firm Actual Experience as a non-executive director.
Sir Bryan, one of the leading figures in the UK communications industry, has held board positions with Cable & Wireless, Inmarsat and RM. He has been instrumental in introducing competition regulation in the telecoms industry, and was expert adviser to the Joint Parliamentary Committee to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of the proposed new Communications Bill.
Actual Experience, which improves digital supply chains for major firms through leading-edge analytics, said Sir Bryan’s expertise would be particularly valuable in ongoing work in improving the digital quality of the internet and project work with Ofcom.
The firm, listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market, has made a number of other boardroom changes.
Non-executive director Stephen Davidson will step up to become non-executive chairman, allowing previous chairman and chief executive Dave Page to focus on the CEO role with particular emphasis on setting the firm’s strategic direction.
Stephen has a wealth of board experience, holding positions in Inmarsat, Restore and Jaywing. He is also chairman of AIM-listed Datatec.
Robin Young will join the board as a non-executive director with effect from September 1. He has extensive CIO, COO, technology and operations experience, serving at blue-chip public companies including Mitchells & Butlers, GlaxoSmithKline, Proctor & Gamble and Ford Motor Company. He also brings considerable City knowledge and expertise having spent almost a decade with HBOS and Citigroup.
Nigel Mitchell is stepping down as non-executive director with effect from September 30, having seen Actual Experience successfully through its transition from a private to a public company,
Dave Page said: “I am delighted that Stephen Davidson has agreed to become Actual Experience’s non-executive chairman. Since joining the company as a non-executive director in February Stephen has provided much appreciated leadership and plc experience to the board and his promotion to the chair is a key part of our plans to build a new technology leader.
“We are equally delighted to welcome Sir Bryan and Robin to the board. They bring a wealth of sector specific knowledge and experience while also providing the informed guidance that will be very important as we seek to deliver on the excellent potential of the business in the coming years.
“Last, but not least, I would like to thank Nigel for his considerable contribution, his integrity and wisdom, which, from the very beginning has helped us through the many challenges of an early stage business. We wish him every success in all future endeavours.”
Stephen Davidson said: “I’ve been impressed by the progress made by the company in the short time I have been on the board and am delighted to accept the offer to increase my involvement by becoming chairman. This also gives Dave more time to focus on the main task, of leading the team as they execute on the undoubted opportunity to build a major global technology company.”
