Huge Group, an investment entity listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, announces that Douglas (Doug) Reed has recently joined the team to take on the company’s growth and innovation portfolio, and that he will be working closely with the investment companies in its investment portfolio.
With over 30 years of experience in the telecoms sector, Doug is recognised for, amongst his many accomplishments, his leadership in transforming Vox Telecom from a small ISP into a major industry player. His industry knowledge and hands-on approach will support Huge Group’s portfolio investment companies with their growth aspirations, with an immediate focus on Huge Group’s virtual mobile network enablement and IoT growth initiatives.
Doug’s career in telecommunications began at Datapro, which later became Vox Telecom, where he played a key role in driving that company’s growth by capitalising on emerging market opportunities. At Huge Group, he recognises similar potential in the eco-system of platforms and services that it has built through considered investments in different businesses over the past two decades.
“I’m excited to join Huge Group at a time when the company is in the early stages of a significant growth curve. There are very few businesses, in our opinion, in the South African market who have access to such a sophisticated eco-system of converged platforms, products, services, and capabilities,” says Doug.
“Huge Group’s investment strategy, involving the making of intelligent investments in businesses led by experienced and dynamic entrepreneurs – experts in their specific fields – also means that we have a considerable wealth of experience to draw on across our portfolio.
“My focus is on leveraging our platforms and capabilities to their fullest to accelerate the next-generation of tailored solutions we are implementing for our enterprise and SMME clients. I’ve always believed that growth and innovation go hand-in-hand. In the converged world in which we live, post the COVID pandemic, we cannot simply repeat the successful things we have done in the past and trust that this will be enough to succeed in the future.
“I’ve joined a team with an incredible work ethic, who are not afraid to invest in the future. We’ve already capitalised on our recent investments in sophisticated platforms by introducing next generation thinking in our commercial and operational approach in a drive to unlock value for our clients.”
Huge Group is prioritising its next-generation initiatives in the near-term by focusing on consumer brands who aspire to be Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and by also focusing on its IoT services capabilities. Huge Group’s multi-tenant and multi-network capable enablement platform, which has already seen substantial investment, provides flexible and scalable solutions for businesses looking to launch mobile services without the traditional barriers associated with business models of this nature
. Doug emphases that, “while the cost of entering the MVNO space has always been a challenge for would-be MVNOs, Huge Group is able to provide a low-cost, low-risk entry point for brands looking to develop mobile services tailored to their unique needs,” Reed added.
Zak van de Merwe, the Chief Operating Officer of Huge Group, highlighted the role Huge NXTGN (pronounced Next Gen) is playing in reshaping the telecoms landscape: “Doug is joining our team at a very exciting time. We are transforming the way the industry looks at virtual enablement business models. Our open-access eco-system breaks down many of the traditional barriers our clients have encountered and allows businesses, from start-ups to established enterprises, to offer MVNO services and integrate telecom capabilities into their operations. With Doug’s experience, we aim to accelerate our customer-focused approach, giving businesses the tools to succeed in the digital economy in a way that suits them best.”
Huge NXTGN’s platforms enable businesses to scale and innovate without the need for large upfront investments or significant ongoing fixed costs. The cloud-like ecosystem was designed to cater specifically for flexibility and accessibility, making it a key differentiator in the telecom landscape.
Doug’s immediate focus will be on leading engagements with Huge Group’s corporate clients and entrepreneurial IT firms. He believes that collaborating with partners and resellers will create opportunities for collaborative growth. “By making our next-generation platforms accessible to a broader audience and working closely with partners, we can create opportunities that benefit both Huge Group and the businesses we support,” explains Doug.
“Our success is indirectly linked to the success of the clients and businesses we support. By providing access to our platforms, we help our clients explore new opportunities and create value in their own specific circumstances, in a manner that best suits their businesses and business models,” explains Doug.
Looking ahead, Doug is excited about Huge Group’s future. With a solid foundation, experienced teams, and a clear strategy, he is confident Huge Group will continue to bring innovation to the telecom and technology sectors and significantly expand its reach.
