Digital Barriers, a leading provider of IoVT (Internet of Video Things) surveillance, security and business intelligence products, welcomes Tom Alexander as Chairman and Bryan Schmode as an advisor to the Board with immediate effect following the completion of 3i’s investment in the company.
Tom had a highly successful executive career spanning over 30 years in the telecoms industry. He was the founding CEO of Virgin Mobile in 1998, leading its IPO and subsequent sale to NTL following which he took on the role of CEO at Orange, overseeing the merger with T-Mobile to create EE which he then ran for a number of years. He is currently Chairman of Cafeyn, a leading European digital media streaming platform, and Asurion, a US based device insurance business, and previously spent nine years as a non-executive director of Ebiquity plc, an independent marketing and media consultancy, before stepping down in April 2022.
Bryan was one of the early and instrumental executives and investors at Avigilon, which became an industry leading provider of end-to-end camera & sensor technology, incorporating advanced analytics and AI deployed via its video management software and cloud based smart access control systems designed for public safety and enterprise solutions. Bryan was a driving force behind the company’s success before its sale to Motorola for $1bn in 2018. He now acts as an advisor to, and investor in, businesses across a wide range of industries.
Digital Barriers will benefit from Tom and Bryan’s leadership and guidance in helping to further develop its commercial proposition and go-to-market strategy with its global blue-chip partners such as AT&T, Vodafone, Fujitsu and G4S.
David Stephens, co-Head of 3i’s UK Private Equity team, commented: “We are delighted to have Tom and Bryan joining the Digital Barriers team. Their extensive experience and insight in building global champions within the telecoms and security sectors will be invaluable as we embark on this next phase for the company. Our ability to attract such high calibre individuals is testament to the quality of Digital Barriers’ technology, scale of the market opportunity, and ambition of this team.”
Tom Alexander commented: “It’s an honour to be joining this highly innovative and growing company as it embarks on its next phase of growth. The quality of its customer base and partners is hugely impressive for a company of this scale. It’s an exciting time to be joining and I look forward to working with Zak and the team to deliver on the business’ full potential.”
Bryan Schmode commented: “I am looking forward to working with Zak and the team to further develop Digital Barriers’ commercial proposition and technology roadmap. I’ve been extremely impressed by the quality of the team and technology that it has developed; it’s a ground breaking proposition and only set to advance further. It’s a privilege to be a part of that journey.”
Zak Doffman, CEO of Digital Barriers, commented: “We’re extremely privileged to have Tom and Bryan join us as we seek to realise our vision. Their impressive track records and networks in
telecoms and security, respectively, will prove hugely beneficial to our global team, not to mention to our clients and partners as we grow over the coming years.”
