A1 Comms to go global as turnover doubles to more than £100m

Internal restructure and recruitment drive see operations director Stuart Joce become MD, with Paul Sisson moving to group CEO role

A1 Comms plans to take its business into Europe as part of a company-wide expansion plan.

The news was revealed by A1’s newly-promoted group MD, Stuart Joce (pictured), who replaces founder Paul Sisson. He now becomes group CEO.

Joce, formerly of Three, also revealed the firm has achieved its target to more than double its annual turnover to above £100 million – which included £30 million in Q4. Profits trebled during the period to £6 million.

Joce told Mobile News: “We have had good growth in our sales channels. We have acquired businesses in Go Mobile and Affordable Mobiles that we have been able to integrate successfully.

“We will be making moves to expand the business internationally, with plans becoming more apparent in the coming months. These changes are to play catch-up with the volumes we’re doing and to ensure we have the capability to deliver what we want to achieve over the next few years.

“We’re expecting more of the same success and no let-up on our growth in 2013.”

Joce confirmed a number of other internal personnel changes.

Adam Chadwick, who has been with the firm since it was established in 1997, has been appointed as commercial director.

Simon Ryan has been given the job of operations director after holding it on an interim basis since June.

Steve Rhodes, who has held sales and e-commerce roles at Three in the UK and Vodafone’s Australian and Group operations, has been appointed as digital director and will oversee the company’s overseas expansion.

The firm’s B2B business is now being managed by Tonia Baldwin, who has been the firm’s corporate sales director for 15 years.

In addition, A1 will look to add 50 new staff, taking headcount to above 240 this year. It is seeking a new MD for A1 Comms’ retail business and will hire a financial director later this month.