Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Hanif Lalani, OBE, is an accomplished financial management, business transformation, and telecommunications leader with broad global finance and operational experience. Lalani joined BT Group plc in 1983 and served in a variety of roles during his 28-year tenure with the global telecommunications giant. Most recently, he served as CEO of BT Global Services. 

Lalani holds a Bachelor of Arts honours degree in mathematics, operations research, and economics from the University of Essex. In 2007, Lalani was named Finance Director of the Year by the Confederation of British Industry. He was also named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to business in Northern Ireland in 2003, and he earned the title of Fellow Chartered Management Accountant in 1990.

Zahl is a co-founder of Romonet and passionate about the data center and ICT industry. Starting his career as a chartered electrical engineer, he then moved into software development and later became a chartered IT professional. Zahl has over 16 years experience in a wide variety of roles across both start-up and enterprise businesses.

As founder and Chairman of the BCS Data Centre Specialist Group, Chairman of the judging panel for DataCenterDynamics Annual Awards, consultant to the EU Code of Conduct for data centers, and regular keynote speaker at industry events around the world, Zahl enjoys widespread international recognition within the data center community.

Liam is a co-founder of Romonet and is recognised as a thought leader in the data center arena, Liam readily challenges convention to stimulate debate and collaboration to drive innovation. Liam has been a leading industry contributor to the European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for Data Centers (launched 19th Nov 2008), and used to chair the Best Practice Working Group.

In 2011 Liam won the prestigious DatacenterDynamics 'Outstanding Contribution to the Industry' Award, the first non-American to do so.

James brings over 30 years of business management experience spanning a diverse set of industry sectors from international shipping and transport through to the construction industry. His expertise lies in prudent planning advice to businesses intent on building core strength through careful financial management.

Focusing on cross-border and multi-disciplinary financial issues for companies doing business in an international environment, he has advised businesses ranging from small startups through to large multi-national enterprises.

The predominant themes throughout Sean's career to date have been innovation within the telecoms sector with companies such as STC and Nortel. Sean's name is on a number of patents and Design Council Awards from that period.

After many years of subsequent consulting experience at Arthur D. Little and Cambridge Consultants, Sean now leads Romonet's consulting practice as well as getting directly involved in program management and guidance with some of our larger clients.

Mike brings over 30 years of executive management experience in leading technology companies and is currently involved in several new ventures. In August 2011, he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer and board member of Enecsys, an innovative solar micro-inverter company operating in both the UK and Silicon Valley. Previously, Mike spent five years as the CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc, where he and his team drove a revolutionary approach to EDA.

Prior to that, Mike spent over 20 years at Intel Corporation, managing many of the company’s microprocessor developments, associated chipsets, software developments and several vertical categories, most notably Intel's penetration into the server market. Mike also sits on the board of Synapsense Corporation.

Formerly a commercial lawyer in private practice for over 25 years, Tony heads Romonet's Legal Advisory function. He has provided in-house legal advice to companies in the fields of engineering, data storage, construction, and the marine industry.

Tony regularly speaks on contemporary legal and commercial issues and advises in peer-to-peer networks. His ability to bring sound, workable solutions to commercial problems empowers businesses and helps them achieve their objectives.