Mission critical communications company Simoco Wireless Solutions has appointed Fred de Haro as Group CEO, following a period of investment in new technology platforms and the recent acquisition of emergency services in-vehicle communications specialist, Thorcom.

Fred brings over 30 years’ experience in growing international technology businesses, notably in the IoT and business critical communications sectors with companies like: Nokia, Tele Atlas (Tom Tom) and Eseye. He is also a serial entrepreneur, having founded a number of tech startups, including global IoT technology company Pycom, which he led from 2015 to a successful sale in 2022.

Simoco’s Current Group CEO Mike Norfield will take on the role of chairman while current chairman Peter Burridge will become a non-executive director. Norfield commented on the appointment: “With new products like our intelligent IoT platform, Velocity, and our extensive Thorcom mobile broadband product range, we feel it gives us a clear edge in providing next generation critical communications products and solutions, bespoke by our own in-house R&D Teams. This added to the fact that we have also developed a new range of P25 Phase 2 mobile and portable radio devices. We are in a strong position for our next phase of global growth. Fred has the experience and track record to maximise this opportunity.”

Commenting on his appointment, Fred de Haro said: “Simoco has changed over the last few years building from its long standing and enviable reputation as a world leading professional mobile radio company, it is now a global player in mission critical communications products and solutions with great in-house R&D and deep domain knowledge in a number of key vertical markets. Our home markets are the UK and Australia but the new products and the engineering expertise we have will not only allow us to address new sectors but also to expand our footprint in territories like North America and Asia-Pacific.”

Outgoing chairman Peter Burridge concluded: "We were looking for someone who could not only grow our sales but also has experience of running a complex international technology business. That means managing highly skilled teams across the world with different cultures and working with customer, partners and investors to help us fulfil our potential. We believe Fred is the right fit to take our business to the next level.”