Our Management Team

Prof. Adam Beaumont aql CEO

Prof. Adam Beaumont –
Founder and Chairman

As a consistent innovator and technologist with a strong cyber security background, Professor Adam Beaumont is the Founder and Chairman of trusted communications specialist, aql and CEO of Isle of Man based telecommunications company, BlueWave. He is also the driving force behind establishing both IXLeeds, a fully independent internet exchange outside London and the Isle of Man’s first and only internet exchange, ManxIX. An active angel investor, Adam founded not-for-profit investment platform, NorthInvest which propels co-investment in tech start-ups across the North of the UK.

Adam started his communications career in secure mobile networking for an agency of the MoD. His passion for future technology and its positive impact on the economy and society was recognised by the Maserati 100 to which he became a member in 2019. He is also an ex-lecturer at the University of Leeds and supports its students through an awards scheme to promote the next generation scientists and technologists, The Beaumont Awards and offers scholarships for underprivileged students.

As a devoted environmentalist, he is a Trustee of the Eden Project and non-executive board director of Eden Project International Ltd (EPIL). Adam is also the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Estonia championing trade and close relations with the UK.


The Rt Hon. The Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG –
Non-Executive Director

Our work in building “Trust Technology” around data provenance and integrity has led to us appointing Baroness Pauline Neville Jones as a Non Executive Director. Her breadth of experience will serve us well as we navigate this exciting growth area.

Baroness Neville Jones is a Conservative Life peer who has sat under this title in the Lords since 15 October 2007. Until April 2019 Pauline was a Council Member for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. She is a board member for the Cyclotron Trust (particle therapy research) and a Chairman of Advisory Board, Cyber Security Challenge.

Her experience within the field of science and technology have taken Pauline overseas to build and reinforce interational relationships in the field. She undertook a visit to Iceland in September 2019, with the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Polar Regions, for meetings and briefings with the government of Iceland, and other stakeholders, with a focus on climate change.

The Rt Hon. The Baroness Neville-Jones DCMG - Non-Executive Director

Jeremy Silver - aql Non Executive Director

Jeremy Silver, CEO of Digital Catapult –
Non-Executive Director

The investment we’ve put into building our advanced digital infrastructure, as well as the positive impact we always strive to make, has resulted in us appointing Jeremy Silver as a Non Executive Director.

Jeremy is the CEO of Digital Catapult, the UK’s not-for-profit authority on advanced digital technology. He is also a trustee of the British Library, a member of the UK Creative Industries Council and sits on the boards of HammerheadVR, Imaginarium Studios and Feedforward.ai.

Previously, he was Executive Chairman of Semetric, which was acquired by Apple, CEO of Sibellius Software, which was acquired by Avid and Worldwide Vice-President of New Media for EMI Group in Los Angeles.


Dr. John Mama –
Chief Scientist

John is responsible, alongside our Chief Technical Officer, for ensuring we follow logical research rigour around our extensive programme of R&D. He is also responsible for providing an oversight into our environmental credentials and driving to minimise our impact and to create net-positive outcomes for our company both locally and globally, including our initiatives to donate waste datacentre heat to the region to reduce fuel poverty.

An alumnus of Leeds University, he trained as a Chemist and has worked in a hugely diverse skill set spanning dyes and pigments, ink-jet printing, cancer research, lasers and cosmetics.

John tries to challenge the accepted wisdom and can be heard constantly asking the question ‘why?’

When not challenging the world with “why”, John enjoys winning pub quizzes (sometimes), pottery, reading books, watching movies, playing video games and being a general all round geek.

Dr John Mama - Chief Scientist

Bill Brigden - Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Bill Brigden –
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

With over 22 years of experience, Bill has worked across various senior developer and infrastructure roles within the Internet service provider (ISP) and telecommunications industry. As aql’s CTO, Bill takes ownership of the company’s strategic technical direction with the managerial responsibility of the development, datacentre and technical teams.

Bill leads the maintenance, progression and creation of aql’s messaging, voice and hosting services, plus is instrumental in building the company’s 5G capabilities.

Previous roles have seen him focus on a variety of technologies and platforms including ESB (Enterprise Service Bus) implementations, Commercial/Wholesale experience of SIP / VoIP platforms and voice termination, Private/Bespoke Cloud infrastructure and MNO interconnects (SMS/Data).

Outside of work, Bill is an avid fan of photography, embedded electronics and spending time with his wife, twin girls and two golden retrievers.


Sharyn Coleman –
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

With over 25 years of experience working in a wealth of industries including manufacturing, construction and business process outsourcing, Sharyn brings with her a proven track record of success in the finance sector. Her deep financial expertise, strategic acumen, and commitment to excellence make her an ideal fit for aql’s leadership team.

Outside of aql, Sharyn is a breathwork teacher and astrologer who enjoys working with the natural cycles and rhythms of the planet to bring balance to life and business.


Andrew Morris - VP Product and Development

Andrew Morris –
VP Product and Development

Andrew is responsible for defining and taking forward future facing products being developed at aql. Using his 20 plus years of experience across the entire IT development and product cycle, Andrew supports the organisation’s group technical vision and development of its product portfolio. He works closely with aql’s team of engineers and developers while collaborating closely with the marketing and support teams. Prior to joining aql, Andrew gained extensive experience in Development Management, IT Architecture, and Product Management roles in a wide mix of industries.

As a passionate technologist, Andrew has always been focused on developing market-leading solutions and building high-performance teams to ensure the best quality delivery.


Andy Brown –
VP 5G Delivery & Service Management

Andy heads up aql’s team of Service Managers and Project Managers that make the company’s 5G projects happen. Whilst service management is at the core, his responsibilities spread across key account management, project management, contract management and regulatory responsibilities. As part of Andy’s role, he is the key contact for aql’s 5G partners, helping them with frameworks and contracts to understand their needs.

With a strong background in customer relations and support, Andy makes sure aql is providing the correct solutions and services to match the needs of each project. He also spends a large portion of time working with aql’s Technical and Development teams to ensure any requirements can be managed and fulfilled in a timely fashion and issues are handled swiftly.

When not driving aql 5G projects, Andy enjoys a spot of photography, astronomy, astrophotography, cycling and motorsport.

Andy Brown - VP 5G Delivery & Service Management

Ivan Maksic –
Head of Commercial

Ivan has over 15 years of experience in the messaging market, holding senior and consulting roles at and with major international messaging and CPaaS companies. His experience in B2B management, global sales, partnership development and operations will help shape our messaging services and solutions, ensuring that they continue to evolve in line with the market’s needs.
With a proven history of leading large teams across multiple countries, Ivan is equipped to continue growing and leading aql’s commercial team.

Outside of the office Ivan is an lover of football, travelling and wine.


Matthew Sayle –
VP Group Infrastructure

As aql’s VP Group Infrastructure, Matthew is responsible for the day to day operations and maintenance of the group’s infrastructure. This includes working closely with aql’s service delivery team aiding the UK wide rollout of 5G points of presence (PoP), responsible for mobile network masts and various other assets the group owns.

Matthew previously held the position of Head of Infrastructure & Director for aql group’s Isle of Man based business BlueWave, Matthew oversaw the company’s on Island and off Island communications infrastructure. When he joined the company in 2014, he was brought on board to assist with the introduction and roll out of the BlueWave 4G LTE network. Since then, Matthew has been instrumental in the expansion of a new on and off Island fibre network, BlueWave’s 40m telecoms tower and 5G installations. Most recently, he has established the aql group’s satellite teleport, Spaceman.

Prior to joining BlueWave, Matthew founded Skyman TV and Gaming Services which were responsible for over 7,000 installations and 3,500 repairs per year on the Isle of Man on behalf of Sky. He was also one of the key players in the Sky boom on the Isle of Man and managed and maintained The Inspired Gaming Group, The Global Draw, William Hill and Joe Jennings Isle of Man outlets.

Matthew Sayle – VP Group Infrastructure