Telecoms coup: director of Indian giant Reliance takes the helm at Solution1

Mark Thompson, a senior director at Indian communications giant Reliance, has taken over as chief executive of the private equity-owned telecoms group Solution1.

In a major coup for the £27m-turnover company, Mr Thompson started at Solution1 last Monday, having been president of Reliance's data business unit since October. The unit competes against the likes of BT and AT&T, and is part of the business empire run by billionaire Anil Ambani. Mr Thompson joined Reliance after his company Vanco was bought by the telecoms giant in May last year.

Mr Thompson said: "My focus is to ensure we continue to work closely with new and existing customers to deliver solutions that meet their needs and support their businesses."

Solution1 works mainly with utilities, such as Anglian Water, and local councils. Chief operating officer Karl Wills said he hoped to increase turnover to more than £60m in three years.