Philip Van Dalsen

C-level / CEO | AI & Digital transformation | Strategic Business Builder | Value creator through growth, cost optimization and constant innovation. EMEA and Americas emerging and developed markets

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About

c-level executive with over 18 years of leadership experience across telecommunications and technology, currently serving as Senior Advisor to the Group CEO at stc. Tasked to lead the execution of key strategic initiatives: Group AI transformation and integration, satellite development, setting up a new fiber business model, expansion, and capitalizing on our digital infrastructure to position stc as a leading TechCo in the Gulf region. Co-founded and scaled Datapply.ai, a SaaS platform leveraging AI-driven analytics to simplify decision-making for telecom businesses without in-house data science capabilities. Expertise includes business transformation, enterprise value creation, and driving innovation in competitive and evolving markets. Dedicated to fostering sustainable growth through collaboration and cutting-edge technology. A real team builder and team player.

Experience

  • Senior Advisor Group CEO - Key AI and digital strategic programs at stc
    Mar 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 5 mos

    Ensuring execution of 1. group wide AI transformation and adoption program, 2. Largescale data / digital transformation initiatives, 3. Satellite communications & services ventures and aligning cutting edge technology programs with corporate vision. Purely focused to unlock new efficiencies and growth opportunities. Spearheaded the establishment of a new fiber operation model. Consolidating all fiber activities across stc group into one single P&L entity structured for potential carve out and strategic scaling.

  • Datapply.ai (3 yrs 1 mo)
    • Advisory Board Datapply.ai Digital Management solutions, AI and big analytics
      Mar 2020 - Mar 2023 · 3 yrs 1 mo

      Co-founded a SaaS platform simplifying business decision-making through AI-driven, pre-built use cases, accessible without in-house data science teams.

    • Strategic development Datapply.ai
      Mar 2020 - Mar 2023 · 3 yrs 1 mo

  • Independent Executive consultant - Interim CEO Digicel Bermuda at Digicel Group
    Jan 2021 - Jul 2021 · 7 mos

    Led cultural and operational transformation. Streamlined operations, reduced costs, and advanced the digital transformation agenda.

  • MTN (On-site)
    • CEO MTN Zambia
      Sep 2018 - Oct 2019 · 1 yr 2 mos

      CEO MTN Zambia In addition to the Mobile and Fix commercial activities within Consumer and Enterprise space the focus is execution dual data strategy; growth smartphone penetration and data consumption and emphasis driving exponential subscriber growth on services within Mobile money, Banktech, Insuretech and M-commerce.

    • CEO & team member MTN Group M&A August 2018-December 2018
      Aug 2018 - Dec 2018 · 5 mos

      Leading the commercial and operational workstreams concerning due diligence with the aim to acquire two target MNO's in East Africa. Modelling of the business plan and valuation of target companies.

    • CEO MTN Cyprus
      Mar 2013 - Sep 2018 · 5 yrs 7 mos

      Turn around the business back to sustainable growth and profitability. Innovate and develop business into a Quad player, accelerate enterprise and ICT business. Instrumental in selling the company and doubling its value within 4 years. MTN Cyprus was considered amongst the top performing European operators between 2014-2018 with revenue growth of +10% in a European environment challenged by constant revenue decline due to EU market regulations, OTT’s and price wars.

  • Chairman of the Board IBS at IBSCY Ltd
    Jun 2014 - Aug 2018 · 4 yrs 3 mos