Globally-renowned tech futurist joins WFS Technologies team
EDINBURGH -- A globally-renowned technology evangelist who focuses on emerging trends and their impact on business and wider society has joined the team at WFS Technologies, a subsea wireless automation, Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing networks company for the energy industry including oil & gas and offshore wind.
Theo Priestley takes up the role of chief marketing officer at WFS Technologies and is already lined up for a number of key industry conferences.
Widely recognized as a thought leader in the IoT, Theo has written more than 100 articles for publications including WIRED, Forbes, Venturebeat, FT Raconteur, Huffington Post, The European, GigaOM, as well as provided commentary for BBC Radio and UK national television.
He has also delivered keynote talks and chaired conferences across the world including USA, Peru, Australia, Dubai, Germany, UK, Sweden, China, Malta and South Africa on topics including IoT, smart cities, artificial intelligence (AI), big data and analytics, digital transformation, and augmented/virtual reality.
Brendan Hyland, founder and chairman of WFS Technologies, said: “Theo is a fantastic fit for the team because he shares our vision and passion for how next generation technology, which has already transformed our daily lives, can significantly contribute to increased production efficiency and cost reduction as well as benefit asset integrity and late life extension.
“He brings yet another new dimension to our business, reinforcing our focus on building our market position for future global expansion. As a tech futurist, who is widely regarded internationally by his peers, Theo has an impressive network of connections and we look forward to seeing how this further supports our ambitious business plan.”
Theo, who has presented a TED talk about AI to an audience of 2,000 and also guest lectures at Columbia University, said: “It is really great to be a part of the WFS journey at such an exciting phase of the firm’s growth. The energy industry, as well as that of defense and smart cities, are undergoing a massive transition at the moment and emerging technology plays a large part of that transformation.
“WFS has a rich heritage in creating real-time solutions under extreme conditions with its portfolio of unique and modular IoT applications designed for subsea and sub-surface use. I’m looking forward to supporting the team and company expand by helping to further drive its position and thought leadership in the industry.”
Theo has been a former vice president at both global software companies, SAP and Software AG.
His appointment is the third of three that WFS Technologies has made in as many months. Highly-regarded oil & gas and offshore wind subsea industry player, Moray Melhuish, joined the company as commercial director while former submarine engineer officer and underwater technologies sales director, Richard Adams, took up the post of sales channel director for the firm’s defense arm.
