WM5G
Meet The Team
Our team are what makes us
WM5G Board
Tracy Westall
Tracy is a non-executive director for the Department for Transport – sitting on its Future of Mobility advisory board. She also supports Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture to connect the UK’s most ambitious cities, regions and science and technology communities. Tracy is a governor of Birmingham City University as well Chair of Curium Solution, a Birmingham based change and people development business. Tracy spent several years on the main board of techUK – the trade association for the UK technology sector and was recognised as the Digital Leaders West Midlands Champion in 2018.
Ninder Johal
Ninder has been running a record label for over 25 years, the company has now ventured into creative services including film and video production and event production.
Outside of his day job – Ninder is a Board member of the Black Country LEP, Board Governor of the University of Wolverhampton, Elected member of the West Midlands CBI, NED at Accord Housing, Trustee of Albion Foundation (part of WBA), Trustee of Victoria Academy (set of primary schools). He is also a Board member of the West Midlands Growth Company and deputises at the West Midlands Combined Authority. He is also a Patron of UKEmployability. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in Feb 2019 in recognition of his work for the region.
Ian Martin
Ian Martin is the Investment and Commercial Activities Director for West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Leading the development of the WMCA’s investment strategy ensuring its capital investment programme is on track to deliver the £8bn worth of benefits to the region over the next 30 years. This investment package consists of flagship projects such as HS2, extensions to the Midland Metro, devolved transport schemes and the regeneration of Coventry City Centre. WM5G is an addition to this portfolio, Ian’s experience dealing with investments and considering the commercial attractiveness of proposals will help join the private and public sectors to best advantage and assist to deliver the new possibilities that 5G technology opens up for the region.
Leadership Team
Robert Franks
Robert is Managing Director of West Midlands 5G Limited. Prior to leading WM5G, he held senior general management and strategy positions at O2, T-Mobile and Orange. At O2, Robert led the company’s new business portfolio where he launched and scaled a number of new businesses in sectors including WiFi, internet of things, payments, messaging, data analytics, advertising and fintech. Robert also led O2’s start-up accelerator.
Rhys Enfield
Rhys is an expert in mobile network deployment, previously working for both operators and vendors in the telecoms sector since the mid-90s. Rhys is our Head of Infrastructure Acceleration and has the primary role of accelerating 5G across the region by removing barriers, improving processes and facilitating relationships between the mobile operators and the local councils. A key focus for Rhys and the team is to act as an ‘honest broker’, fostering a more collaborative and cooperative approach, working to ensure citizens of the West Midlands are the first to benefit from the socioeconomic improvements that 5G will bring.
Lesley Holt
Lesley’s prior private and public sector experience, operating both within local authority organisations and outsourced services contracts, gives a breadth of knowledge across a variety of sectors. Lesley’s background has covered account management, stakeholder engagement, business development and business transformation. Her key strengths have been in the development of successful relationships with colleagues and clients, establishing credibility and ensuring achievement of shared goals – these attributes align well with the aims and ambitions of WM5G.
Joanna Seabright
Jo joined WM5G in April 2022 to drive the commercial strategy, evolve our brand, our propositions and communications – further putting our customers at the heart of WM5G. Prior to joining, Jo held various senior marketing positions in the transport industry, and has recently graduated with an MBA with distinction from Aston Business School.
Chris Hudson
Chris is a connectivity expert with a proven track record in delivering complex projects in the telecommunications sector. Formerly managing the roll out of the 5G network and associated upgrades at BT and EE, Chris was also head of transmission at Nokia. He joins WM5G to head up our connectivity division, leading on projects and WM5G’s new barrier busting service ‘Simplifi, that aims to make it easier for organisations to adopt 5G technologies.
Suvo Datta
Suvo has more than 15 years of experience spanning across senior leadership roles in finance, sales and general management in large multinationals, including Telefónica UK (O2), Vodafone and Deloitte. In his role as Financial Director, Suvo has responsibility for leading and developing WM5G’s strategic business plan, annual budget and liaising with public and private funders as the testbed takes its next step along an exciting journey.
