Driving the future of live broadcast
I’ve spent most of my career working at the intersection of technology and media, particularly in the evolution of video and streaming. I started out in software development, spending a decade at Disney, where I joined as a graduate and eventually led international teams working on online video and gaming platforms at a time when the company was beginning the transition that would ultimately lead to what is now Disney+.
From there, I moved to Virgin Media, following the growth of video streaming. One of my early projects there was launching Virgin TV Anywhere, one of the first propositions that allowed customers to watch their television content on multiple devices. Over six years, I went on to run the television product, live events, movies and advertising businesses, overseeing a substantial operation that shaped the experience many people in the UK still have today when they switch on their TV.
Later, I became the launch director for BritBox, the streaming joint venture between the BBC and ITV, before spending several years on the vendor side of the industry. That move gave me a completely different perspective: after years of buying technology, I began helping to sell and build it, with the knowledge of the buy side.
When the opportunity to lead Techex came along, I wasn’t actively looking for a new role but it quickly became clear that this was a hidden gem, with great backing. It was a great chance to be part of a smaller, entrepreneurial business that could move at pace and where the decision- making process was much faster.
A business ready for its next phase
Techex had already built an excellent reputation within the broadcast industry. The company had a long history and strong financial performance, alongside a customer base that included many of the UK’s leading broadcasters. Yet, it had achieved this without significant marketing or a large sales function.
What immediately stood out to me was the combination of world-class technology, highly skilled people and a strong customer base – but with huge, untapped potential for international growth.
At its core, Techex helps move and manage live video as it travels through the broadcast chain. If you imagine a live sporting event, there are multiple cameras capturing action, which all come together and end up as a finished product on the consumers end screen. This video goes on a complex journey to be produced with the right shots, commentary, graphics and must be delivered at the highest quality and protected at every stage.
For decades, this process relied heavily on satellite infrastructure and hardware-based systems. But the industry is now undergoing a major shift towards software and internet protocol (IP) based technology – essentially moving the broadcast chain into the cloud.
Techex sits right at the heart of that transition.
From hardware to software
In short, Techex is a technology provider helping the world’s biggest broadcasters and streaming platforms deliver live content reliably and securely, we enable delivery of some of the world’s best known live sport and other types of content.
Our role is genuinely mission critical. If a broadcaster loses even a second of video during a live event, the consequences can be significant. Imagine missing the winning try in a major rugby final or cutting out during a multi-million-dollar advertising slot during the Super Bowl.
Our technology ensures that live video moves through the broadcast chain exactly as it should, maintaining quality and reliability every step of the way.
Today, billions of viewers around the world watch content that, in one way or another, has likely passed through Techex technology.
Scaling the business globally
The opportunity ahead lies in scaling this capability internationally.
When I joined, the business was primarily focused on the UK, with a base presence in the US. Since then, we’ve been expanding rapidly across global markets. In the past two years alone, we’ve won new business in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Canada and the United States.
At the same time, we’ve been delivering more product and innovation as we maintain our leadership in the category we operate.
That transformation has required investment across multiple areas – particularly people. When the investment from WestBridge was completed, the business had around 25 employees. Today, we have more than 80, with significant growth in engineering, sales and product development teams.
We’ve also built out the infrastructure needed for an international technology company, including finance, HR, legal and marketing capabilities.
This investment has supported strong performance. Last year, we achieved growth of more than 30 per cent, and we’ve significantly expanded our global sales pipeline.
A sector with strong underlying demand
From the outside, the media and entertainment industry can sometimes appear volatile, particularly given the consolidation and competitive dynamics between major streaming platforms and broadcasters.
But one thing is consistently growing: the global demand for live content, particularly sport.
Streaming platforms are increasingly competing for live rights – whether that’s football leagues, boxing events, global news reporting. As that demand increases, so does the need for reliable, flexible technology to deliver those broadcasts.
That’s where Techex is positioned.
The industry itself is moving away from legacy hardware infrastructure towards software-driven solutions. Because we have been investing in this area for years, we are well positioned to help drive that transition.
The importance of trust and culture
One of the things that attracted me most to Techex was the reputation the business had already built with its customers.
Across the industry, the company is known for reliability and trust. Clients rely on us to support some of the most valuable and visible broadcasts in the world, and that level of responsibility creates strong long-term relationships.
Maintaining that trust is central to how we operate internally as well.
My leadership philosophy is built around empowering people. If you hire talented individuals and give them the autonomy to do their jobs well, they tend to deliver exceptional results. I’m not a believer in micromanagement – I prefer to create an environment where people can take ownership and contribute their ideas.
That openness also means I have a clear view of what is happening across the business, which helps us move quickly and make better decisions.
Partnering with WestBridge
WestBridge’s investment has played an important role in accelerating the company’s development.
Before the investment, the founders recognised that the business had significant potential but would benefit from additional support and experience to scale effectively. WestBridge provided that backing, along with a clear value creation plan.
They helped strengthen the leadership team, bringing in new commercial and financial expertise and supporting investment in areas such as product development, sales and marketing.
What I particularly value is their willingness to understand the industry. Rather than remaining at a distance, the team has taken the time to learn how the broadcast ecosystem works and how our technology fits within it.
That level of engagement makes for much more productive conversations and a stronger partnership overall.
Looking ahead
We’re now entering the next stage of Techex’s growth.
The business has strong foundations: a proven product set, a growing global customer base and a rapidly expanding pipeline of opportunities.
Our focus is on continuing to build our software platform, expanding our international presence – particularly in the United States – and further strengthening our brand globally.
Ultimately, my ambition is for Techex to be recognised as one of the companies that helped the broadcast industry make the leap from traditional satellite infrastructure to a fully digital, cloud-based future.
If we can play a meaningful role in driving that transformation – while continuing to deliver the reliability our customers depend on – then we will have achieved something very special.