OSN names Kawkabani as new CEO

Middle East pay TV operator OSN Group has named Joe Kawkabani as its new CEO, effective immediately.

Joe Kawkabani

Kawkabani has been a board member and a close partner to the OSN leadership team working on the vision and strategy across all divisions.

Kawkabani previously served as the group chief investment officer at KIPCO, OSN’s parent company. Prior to that he had a 20 year run managing investments across diverse industries in the Middle East and Africa region. He served as CEO of Angola-based IT firm CPC Africa, CIO of investment outfit Franklin Templeton MENA, and co-founder and managing director at Portuguese loan management specialist Algebra Capital.

Kawkabani succeeds Sangeeta Desai, whose term as interim CEO came to an end recently. Desai was appointed to head OSN in September last year following the departure of previous CEO Patrick Tillieux for personal reasons.

Sheikha Dana, chairperson of OSN/Panther Media Group, said: “We are pleased that Joe is stepping in as CEO as he works towards the board’s vision for the Company to be a leading premium entertainment ecosystem in the region.”