Marshall (pictured) has headhunted five execs, who he said all worked with him at National Grid Wireless, or were known to him due to their profile and career.
Cordiant’s managing partner and co-head of digital, Benn Mikula, said: “My partner Steven Marshall produced an outstanding record of success at American Tower, where the share price rose over six times during his decade as president, and National Grid Wireless.
"During the highly successful years prior to National Grid Wireless being acquired – and renamed Arqiva – Steve and the management team returned hundreds of millions of pounds of dividends to shareholders. Key elements of this management team are now re-united with him. This will enable Cordiant to better serve investors by enhancing the operations of its portfolio companies. With a senior team balanced between private equity investors and operating executives, Cordiant Digital brings a differentiated and value-creating offering to the digital middle market,” Mikula continued.
The five new team members are: David Bonar, treasurer; Rita Maguire, head of talent; Kevin Moroney, broadcast advisor; Mark Noble, general counsel; and Atul Roy, telecommunications advisor.
Marshall commented: “At Cordiant, we have assembled an outstanding team of investors and operators that can bring complementary skills to the evaluation and management of these digital assets. They provide a unique resource for both entrepreneurs looking to partner with Cordiant to expand their companies as well as corporations looking to sell digital infrastructure assets to a trusted counterparty. I am delighted that these talented individuals have chosen to work with me again on these fantastic opportunities.”
The new team
Former National Grid exec Bonar will assume the role of treasurer for both the CORD fund, as well as its manager Cordiant Digital. Further, he will assist portfolio companies in optimising both financial reporting as well as operations. Has previously worked at JPMorgan Chase and EY.
Maguire will oversee Cordiant Digital’s HR function and also assist portfolio companies in building their teams, ensuring management depth and generally assisting in the construction of appropriate HR structures. Maguire served as HR Director at National Grid Wireless and Crown Castle UK.
Moroney will be Cordiant Digital’s in-house expert in broadcast infrastructure technologies and business strategies, bringing a deep understanding of both coming trends and operational effectiveness. He was previously a director of TVA Group, D2 Group and Parkmore and served as regulatory and compliance director at Arqiva.
Noble has taken responsibility for the legal aspects of the acquisitions made by Cordiant Digital – which started with deals in the Czeck Republic and Norway – as well as for the governance relationship between CORD and Cordiant. Prior to this appointment he served as general counsel of Renishaw plc and deputy group general counsel at National Grid, where he was involved in the acquisition of Crown Castle UK and the subsequent sale of the enlarged business to Macquarie – the transaction that created Arqiva.
Taking on the role of telecommunications advisor, Roy will be Cordiant Digital’s in-house expert on trends and operations in relation to mobile towers and fibre, working closely with Moroney. The former head of strategy for BT Group – where he oversaw a network investment portfolio of £2.3 billion – Roy has also held senior roles at EE prior to its acquisition by BT. Further, he is credited with creating several site sharing agreements, including the UK’s largest such agreement between the mobile networks of EE and Three.
