New Chair appointed for UK Spectrum Policy Forum

Abhaya Sumanasena has been appointed as the new Chair of the UK SPF. Sumanasena succeeds David Meyer, who recently stepped down after serving as Chair for the last seven and a half years.  

Sumanasena brings a wealth of leadership experience, having previously served as Chair of the UK Spectrum Policy Forum’s Steering Board for the last four years until the appointment of Luigi Ardito in October 2022, and in his current role as Head of Spectrum and Regulation at consultancy firm Real Wireless. He has also previously held a variety of senior leadership positions in the public and private sector.  

The new leadership team will continue to drive forward the strategic aims of SPF to maximise the contribution of spectrum to UK ambitions on economic growth and societal improvements in this WRC year. The UK SPF will also continue to act as a voice on behalf of all spectrum uses to Government and Ofcom on future spectrum policy.  

Sumanasena’s appointment comes shortly after the publication of three UK SPF reports which provide key insight to policymakers at Ofcom and government into future spectrum management challenges and opportunities.  

Dr Abhaya Sumanasena
“I am honoured and delighted to be taking on the role of Chair of the UK SPF, an organization I have been closely involved in for the last few years. SPF has built a reputation as the industry voice of spectrum users in the UK and has taken a leadership role in influencing the UK spectrum policy landscape over the years. I look forward to working with the new leadership team and all stakeholders to help policymakers solve strategic spectrum policy issues in the years to come.”

Dr Abhaya Sumanasena

New UK SPF Chair

 


 

Sophie Greaves

Sophie Greaves

Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, techUK

Sophie Greaves is Head of Programme for Communications Infrastructure and Services at techUK, and oversees the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.

Sophie was promoted to Head having been Programme Manager for Communications Infrastructure and Services, leading techUK's telecoms activities, engagement and policy development. Previously, Sophie was Programme Assistant across a variety of areas including the Broadband Stakeholder Group, Central Government, Financial Services and Communications Infrastructure programmes.

Prior to joining techUK, Sophie completed a masters in Film Studies at University College London; her dissertation examined US telecoms policy relating to net neutrality and content distribution.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2038
Twitter:
@SJMJames1
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiegreaves/

Read lessmore

Mia Haffety

Mia Haffety

Programme Manager - Telecoms and Net Zero, techUK

Mia joined techUK in September 2023 as the Programme Manager for telecoms and net zero.

Sitting across two teams, Mia works to ensure that policy and regulatory conditions promote investment and innovation in the telecoms sector. And, that policy enables technology and digital solutions to deliver net zero ambitions.

Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) leading on manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation policy.

Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.

Outside of work, Mia enjoys travelling, running, and cooking.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
@MiaHaffety,
Website:
www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miahaffety/

Read lessmore

Tales Gaspar

Tales Gaspar

Programme Manager, UK SPF and Satellite, techUK

Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.

In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).

Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
+44 (0) 0207 331 2000
Website:
www.techUK.org
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar

Read lessmore

Matthew Wild

Programme Assistant - Markets, techUK

Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant, supporting the Communications Infrastructure programme, as well as the Digital Connectivity and Spectrum Policy Fora.

Before joining techUK, Matthew worked in marketing, data, and events across a number of sectors, including education and consumer goods. He studied German and Dutch at University College London and the Universiteit van Amsterdam.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2000

Read lessmore