BAI Communications appoints global HR executive Alison Perren as Group Chief People Officer

16 March 2021 [Sydney, Hong Kong, London, New York, Toronto]: BAI Communications (BAI), a leading communications infrastructure provider, today announced the appointment of Alison Perren as its new Group Chief People Officer. A highly respected leader in her field, Perren will be tasked with reshaping global operations to develop new business capabilities and enable growth through talent acquisition and development. She will play an essential role developing a culture of collaboration and innovation between the different centres of excellence within the company. 

Perren brings over 30 years of international and multi-sector experience in human resources. She has held senior leadership roles in a variety of global blue-chip companies including Yum! Brands, PepsiCo., the Ford Motor Company, and Vodafone, where she worked for four years, first as HR Director, Europe and later as HR Director, Group Commercial and Operations. Most recently, Perren was Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Williams Lea Tag, a global Marketing & Communications Services company, headquartered in the UK. 

Throughout her career Perren has had a broad geographical remit with roles responsible for people strategies across EMEA, the Americas and APAC, giving her a nuanced understanding of different markets and cultures. She brings a proven ability to adapt to new sectors and corporate cultures, having held senior roles not only in telecommunications, but in a variety of global listed and private equity businesses. 

BAI Group CEO Igor Leprince said: “Alison is a world-class, commercially oriented executive with significant experience in all facets of HR and a brilliant track record of making a positive impact to the business. Her multi-industry expertise managing people and transformations across different markets will help us to create a culture that draws in the best minds and talent in our sector. Alison also has valuable experience in team integration as a result of company transactions, which fits well with our ambitious growth plans for the next few years, as we prepare for strategic acquisitions.” 

Commenting on her appointment, Perren said: “BAI is on a path to reshape its global business around one of the most important leaps in technology in the telecommunications sector. It’s an incredibly exciting time for the company and the industry as well as a fantastic opportunity to help shape BAI’s success as it expands its reach across a number of key markets, enabled by a world class HR team. I’m delighted to join this international organisation, especially as it enters this new phase of business led by some of the most talented and respected senior executives in the industry.” 

Perren joins the organisation alongside Brendan O’Reilly, who was recently appointed as BAI’s Group Chief Technology Officer, and Andrew McGrath, who will join in May as Group Chief Commercial Officer. This year, the company has also welcomed two new board members: Kathleen Abernathy, a former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission in the US, and Michael Tessler, former CEO of BroadSoft, a successful multinational communications software company acquired by Cisco in 2018. 

“Over the next decade neutral host providers like BAI will be increasingly sought out, due to the costs and operational burden of 5G. Our strengthened senior leadership team will help us accelerate our growth plans and strongly position BAI to create shared value for governments, mobile network operators and businesses delivering the best outcomes for the community,” added Leprince. 

Based in London, Perren commences her role on 12 April 2021 joining BAI’s executive team.  The executive team of BAI, reporting to Group CEO, Igor Leprince includes: Stephen Matthews (Group Chief Financial Officer), Justin Berger (Chief Strategy Officer), Brendan O’Reilly (Group Chief Technology Officer), Andrew McGrath (Group Chief Commercial Officer), Alison Perren (Group Chief People Officer), Billy D’Arcy (Chief Executive Officer, UK), Don Morrison (Chief Executive Officer, Canada), Peter Lambourne (Chief Executive Officer, Australia), Melinda White (Chief Executive Officer, Transit Wireless) and Paul Chan (Managing Director, Hong Kong).
 

About BAI Communications
BAI Communications designs, builds, and operates cellular, Wi-Fi, broadcast, radio, and IP networks around the world. We are engineering experts and technology innovators with proven experience in delivering the next wave of connectivity solutions through long-term partnerships with broadcasters, transit operators, governments, and MNOs. As a leading communications infrastructure provider, BAI’s neutral host solutions connect people, enrich communities and advance economies. Our global operations span Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and the US, where we have a majority stake in Transit Wireless. 

For more information contact

Head of Marketing & Communications Sarah Roberts 

P +61 2 8113 4739 | M +61 434 752 233 | E Sarah.Roberts@baicommunications.com