Satellite services provider Intelsat SA has announced the appointment of Brian Jakins as its Regional Vice President of Sales in Africa, effective immediately.

The company says Jakins will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa and report to Jean-Philippe Gillet who is vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Intelsat.

A statement issued by the company said Jakins has more than two decades of experience in the technology sector including services to enterprises and mobile operators.

Jakins will lead Intelsat's African sales team and support the growth of the company's broadband, mobility and media customers operating in the region. He has also been tasked with designing and implementation the company's sales strategy and business development across Africa.

Jean-Philippe Gillet, Intelsat's Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa says Jakin's is a right fit for the company.

"Brian has a proven track record of developing strong customer relationships and delivering innovative solutions that have enabled telecommunications companies in Africa to grow their businesses in the most cost-efficient manner," said Gillet.

"His expertise and understanding of the opportunities facing media and broadband customers in the region will be essential, particularly as we prepare to launch Intelsat 33e, our next-generation Intelsat EpicNG satellite. I look forward to working closely with Brian and his team as Intelsat brings new satellite solutions to Africa that will deliver the higher performance and improved economics necessary to allow customers in the region to meet changing content distribution and broadband demands, and capitalise on fast-growing new applications coming to market," he added.

Prior to his new appointment Jakins served as Vice President of Sales and Services Africa at Aviat Networks, a provider of microwave networking solutions.

He has also held senior sales management positions of increasing responsibility at companies such as Alcatel-Lucent, Siemens Telecommunications and Wireless Data Services South Africa.