JET Connectivity's Independent Non-Executive Director, David Happy, Awarded MBE for Services to Telecoms and Technology

[15 June 2024, UK]

David played a crucial role in JET Connectivity’s journey, supporting our growth and visibility.

 
We are proud to announce that David Happy, our respect Independent Non-Executive Director, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his exceptional contributions to telecommunications and technology sectors.

Dave played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of JET Connectivity, co-authoring a government research project that resulted in JET delivering their first floating, self-powered, 5G enabled ocean buoy. His invaluable assistance and extensive network of contacts were critical during our formative stages, contributing  year of voluntary support which significantly advanced our growth; including securing our feature on the BBC’s flagship technology program, BBC Click, inclusion in Qualcomm media coverage, and assisting in facilitating our team expansion from a single employee to our team of nearly 30.

James Thomas, CEO of JET, remarked, “Dave is a calm voice of reason, and never fails to bring a huge smile to the office. We are incredibly delighted to see him deservedly recognised in this way.”

A well-known and respected figure within the telecoms industry, Dave boasts over 36 years of expertise in the sector. His extensive experience includes significant roles at US WEST and Virgin Media, where he secured their PTO and International Facilities licences, contributed to the construction of their first Satellite Earth Station, managed a £40 million subsea cable project, and facilitated the France Telecom/Orange’s acquisition of a stake in the business.

Amongst his noticeable achievements are winning  a Digital Europe Award from his peers during his tenue as Vice President of Samsung Electronics in their R&D operation. In addition to winning the individual collaboration award from The Department of Digital Media and Sport (DCMS) and UK5G for his work in 2021.

Upon receiving his MBE, David commented, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to be recognised with this award. The UK, in my view, is one of the best places in the world to work in telecoms and technology. This recognition is not just a personal accolade, but also a testament to the vibrant and innovative spirit of the UK’s tech sector. Working in this field has been a rewarding journey, and I am grateful for the opportunities to contribute to ground-breaking projects. JET exemplifies the dynamism and creativity of UK tech innovation, and it has been a privilege to be part of its growth and success. I look forward to contributing our work and pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in telecoms and 5G technology.”