In a statement this morning, Aqua Comms, which is owned by Digital 9 Infrastructure (D9), said Fagan will “lead the next phase of business growth.”
Capacity understands that there is no disagreement between Beiriff (pictured) and Aqua Combs or its owners. This is confirmed by the fact that from now on he will continue to head the company for more than four months.
Aqua Comms Chairman Alan Harper said:
Fagan has been with GCX since 2020 after Carl Grivner was appointed CEO to lead the company’s turnaround. Fagan and Grivner worked together at Pacnet from 2012 to 2015. Fagan served as president of managed services and Grivner as his CEO. Fagan continued working for Telstra after acquiring Pacnet.
Capacity understands from people in a position to know that Beyliff will likely move to another role in the industry, but it’s not going to compete with Aquacoms.
Capacity understands that his decision to step down is irrelevant as Thor Johnsen and Andre Carihalo stepped down from their roles at D9 in late November. He was head of Infrastructure and Investment Director.
Capacity understands from sources in the infrastructure industry that they are currently engaged in early-stage digital investments. This is a different need than the established infrastructure investments that Aqua Comms has established.
“In hindsight, investors are very different,” said someone in a position to know this morning.
Triple Point said last week that the D9 infrastructure team is now led by Ben Beaton, who has been with the group for 15 years. The Investment Director is Arnaud Jagan, who joined Triple Point in January 2021 and worked on his M&A for Telecom at UBS Investment Bank. After that he was in charge of corporate strategy at Level 3 Communications and he was in CenturyLink (now he is Lumen) and at RETN where he worked for a year.
Returning to Aqua Comms, Harper said in a statement this morning:
He added: [Aqua Comms] For a profitable, customer-focused business with an enviable industry reputation. We thank Nigel for his great contribution to the success of Aqua Coms and wish him the best in his next steps in the industry. ”
Capacity understands that Aqua Comms has chosen Fagan as a leader when it comes to building commercial products specifically for the Asian market. “Jim has a great network [of contacts] in Asia,” said one who knew him well.