Delmec & Its CEO: Turning Fifty Together

As CEO of a large, international company, I spend a lot of time on the move, whether in Europe, Africa, or Asia. It’s fast-paced, but I like it that way.

This year, though, brings pause for thought, as I turn fifty years old. It’s a milestone in anybody’s life, but for me it feels especially poignant as Delmec is also approaching its fifth decade.

It’s fair to say we’ve grown up together, Delmec and I. As a child I remember the excitement of visiting my family at work as the company evolved to meet the demands of a rapidly-changing telecommunications industry. From ‘brick’ phones and analog 1G to virtual reality headsets and 5G, it’s been an exciting journey for us all.

Just as I had to learn to crawl before I could walk, Delmec also started with the basics, the hard graft required to erect sky-scraping structures in all sorts of terrain. As our team moved from manufacturing to designing and optimising, I was building my own skill set too, first as a young engineer, then later as a manager, and finally, as CEO.

Celebrating the ‘big 5-0’ has meant reflecting a little on these years, and looking at what my role is — as a leader, a husband, and a father. I’ve realised that despite the raft of books, podcasts, and Ted Talks on the subject, happiness is not that complicated. For me, at least, it can be distilled into three things: health, purpose, and positivity.

We’re all a little guilty of taking our health for granted, but the last two years have reminded us that it’s precious. Equally, time away from the office has emphasised how important it is to have a sense of purpose. Whether that’s hitting a career-related goal, participating in a sporting event, or taking care of loved ones, we need to find meaning in our lives to be truly happy.

For me, my family is my priority. While I am dedicated to my work, my wife and children are the greatest joy in my life. Like everyone, I don’t always get it right, but I know that taking care of my family and protecting my home life matters most.

Last, but not least is positivity. Taking stock this year has made me realise how fortunate I am to really, truly enjoy my work. Over the decades, we’ve built an international team of dynamic, innovative, and highly-trained people who share my passion for connecting people and places. Every day we get to learn from each other, build our skills, and expand our knowledge — with plenty of laughs along the way.

When I was a younger man, my aim was to retire when I reached fifty years old. Now that the big day has come and passed, I have no intention of hanging up my hard hat. We’re still on this shared journey, Delmec, and I, with lots achieved, and much more to do in the future. It’s every bit as exciting in the 21st century as it was in the 20th — roll on the next fifty years!