MUMBAI: Synamedia has appointed digital TV software pioneer Nick Thexton as chief technology officer (CTO). Nick will drive Synamedia’s ambitious agenda of technology innovation and investment, and lead the development and delivery of new system solutions that help customers transform their business models and accelerate their transition to IP. Nick will be in charge of the company’s video platform engineering, product management, architecture and marketing.
With Nick’s appointment to this expanded CTO role, former Synamedia CTO Alok Gera moves to the position of senior vice president and general manager, North America. With 20 years’ industry experience under his belt, Alok now leads Synamedia’s customer-facing organization and activities in the region.
Nick joins Synamedia following a stint as group CTO at German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. His previous positions were chief digital & product officer at satellite operator, Inmarsat, and CTO for UK TV platform YouView.
From 1994 to 2012 Nick worked at NDS, then at Cisco until 2014 in the position of VP and CTO of Cisco’s Service Provider Video Software Solutions. Nick started his career working with UK broadcasters Channel 4 and Thames Television, having graduated in engineering from Imperial College, London.
“Having spent years in R&D shaping many of the technologies that make up Synamedia’s portfolio, I have a deep affinity for the offerings and organization. My immediate focus will be an injection of ideas to support operators as they transition to IP broadcasting and develop new business opportunities. New initiatives will help video service providers win more eyeballs and build revenues in the IP era,” said Synamedia CTO Nick Thexton.
“There are few individuals in this industry with Nick’s technical prowess and pedigree. With his passion for innovation, Nick will instil new levels of creativity into our R&D activity to keep our customers one step ahead in a competitive sector. With Nick at the helm, our reputation for impactful industry-defining innovation will continue undimmed,” said Synamedia CEO Yves Padrines.