January 14, 2021

SEACOM Appoints New Group Chief Digital Officer

Today, SEACOM announced that its current Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Claes Segelberg, has resigned. Claes has been with the ICT company almost since its inception in 2009 and has contributed nine valuable years of service to SEACOM.

Claes and his passionate team are credited with building up the organisation from a small new private linear east coast cable system into the leading data transmission backbone of Africa. Claes’ hard work and dedication over the years has added immense value to Africa’s ICT development.

During his time at SEACOM, the company built, maintained and operated the first true high-speed data network on the continent. Today, SEACOM is the preferred partner for African businesses, network carriers, and service providers, with a solid reputation for its world-class network quality, operational professionalism, and valuable services.

Claes explained why now is the right time for him to hand over his CTO responsibilities. “SEACOM is heading into a new future of investment and growth, focusing on the rapidly expanding corporate segments in our key markets. This requires fresh ideas and new skills that will take SEACOM from its current strengths into its future expansion and development.”

Prenesh Padayachee, former CTO at Internet Solutions and former Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Telkom Openserve, will officially take over as SEACOM Group Chief Digital Officer (CDO) on 4 January 2021. In addition to the CTO’s responsibilities, Prenesh will also be absorbing the Chief Information Officer role, and thus the new title of CDO.

Byron Clatterbuck, the outgoing Group CEO, took the opportunity, on behalf of SEACOM and its shareholders, to thank Claes for his impactful contributions through the years. “Claes has been a true asset to the SEACOM team, playing a pivotal role in shaping our organisation into the industry leader it is today. We wish him the very best with his future endeavours, and are grateful that he will be staying with us until the end of March 2021 to ensure a seamless handover into the capable hands of Prenesh.”

Incoming Group CEO Oliver Fortuin expressed his confidence in Prenesh, “We know that Prenesh will continue to lead the team professionally and uphold the high standards our customers have come to expect from SEACOM. This transition marks the start of exciting changes and new beginnings for our group. Thank you for supporting me, Claes, Prenesh, and the rest of the executive team as we make this necessary transition.”

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Media Relations:  

Kurt Ferreira 

Account Manager for SEACOM at Clockwork Media (Johannesburg, South Africa)  

Clockwork Media | Kurt@clockworkmedia.co.za | +27 11 463 0366 | +27 82 529 8064