Chris
Gabriel

Speaker Profile

Chris Gabriel is the Chief Executive (CEO) of Zain Africa, leading the 15 African operating companies within the Zain Group. Chris is ranked in the Global Telecoms Business Top 100 most influential people in the Telecoms Industry. Under his leadership, Zain Africa has grown in excess of 50%, and received numerous awards including Best Marketing Campaign Award 2008 – 'Zain Rebranding' - AfricaCom Awards; Best Pan-African Solution Award 2008 – 'One Network' – AfricaCom Awards; Wireless Network Infrastructure Innovation Award 2008 – 'One Network' – Global Telecoms Business Awards; Best Telecoms Operator in Africa Award 2008 – Business in Africa Awards; Best Overall Telecoms Operator in Africa & Middle East Award 2008 – Comms MEA Awards; Best Corporate Image Award – 2009 Sabre Awards; and Best Mobile Money Service for the Unbanked 2010 – 'Zain Zap' – GSMA Global Mobile Awards.

Chris was formerly the Group Chief Officer ACE Strategy at the Zain Group, where he was accountable for refining, executing and delivering Zain's Global ACE Strategy (Accelerate, Consolidate and Expand) across the 22 Zain operating companies, together with leading and managing Zain's international and regional IPOs.

Prior to joining the Zain Group, Chris was Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Group Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco Group) as well as Interim Chief Executive of Umniah Mobile Company. Major achievements during his time with the Batelco Group include record double-digit revenue and operating profit growth; acquisition of Umniah Mobile Company (Jordan); acquisition of 20% of Sabafon (Yemen); successful raising of a US$485m debt facility (60% over subscribed); and the successful implementation and execution of a group-wide organisational transformation program.

Prior to joining the Batelco Group, Chris was the Director, Finance for SingTel Optus Business in Australia. Major achievements during his time with SingTel Optus include delivering profitable double digit revenue growth at rates three to four times market; over 30 percent improvement in delivery cycle times; over 50 percent reduction in unit operating costs; and successful integration of the Singapore Telecom and Optus global Network organisations.

Chris has over 25 years experience in the Information Technology and Communications sectors, having developed his strategic, managerial and financial expertise through a wide variety of roles spanning Financial Management, Business Process Engineering, Customer Care and Billing, Product Development, Commercial Operations, Facilities, Strategic Programs, Year 2000 Remediation, Information Technology and Corporate Acquisitions. He has previously held senior executive positions with Ericsson, Unisys and ComputerLand.

Chris is a renowned international executive with a passion for operational excellence and over achievement in high growth start up, turn-around and emerging market environments. He is also a recognised leader in team building, mentoring, human capital development and public speaking. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Business in Finance; CPA; MBA in Marketing; Bachelor of Law; Diploma of Corporate Management and Advanced Diploma Company Director.

Travels from United Arab Emirates