Digital Version In a world where digital transformation is reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, connectivity is the backbone that enables progress, innovation, and inclusion. At the helm of REDtone Digital Services, Mahnoor Nadeem stands as a beacon of purpose-driven leadership, charting a bold path forward for the telecom sector. Her journey into the world of telecommunications and digital services reflects a blend of legal precision, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to empowering communities through technology. Connectivity isn’t just about linking devices – it’s about connecting people to opportunities, communities to progress, and ideas to impact. At REDtone, our mission is to build an inclusive digital future where innovation is powered by purpose. From Legal Training to Leading Digital Transformation Mahnoor Nadeem’s entry into the telecom industry was not a conventional one. Trained as a barrister in the United Kingdom, she earned her LLB and LLM from City, University of London, and completed the Bar Professional Training Course at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. Her legal background provided her with a strong analytical foundation and an appreciation for structure and governance, qualities that would later become instrumental in her leadership journey. Growing up alongside the growth of REDtone, Mahnoor witnessed the transformative power of connectivity from an early age. She saw how it could drive progress, enable innovation, and uplift communities. This early exposure planted the seeds for a deeper calling. In 2019, she began her journey with the REDtone Group as Group Vice President, a role that paved the way for her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of REDtone Digital Services. With this transition, she brought not only strategic acumen but also a personal mission to bridge digital divides and deliver meaningful impact. Under her leadership, REDtone Digital Services has launched a series of forward-looking initiatives. These include Redrackx, a robust cloud platform; Secure Bee, a cybersecurity service suite; and Redlinkx, a connectivity provider for consumers and small to medium-sized enterprises. In addition, the company has expanded its managed services and deepened its cybersecurity capabilities through strategic partnerships with global leaders such as Palo Alto Networks, SolarWinds, and Checkmarx. Each of these efforts reflects a steadfast commitment to building secure, scalable, and inclusive digital ecosystems. The Trends Defining the Next Chapter of Telecom Innovation The telecom industry is experiencing rapid transformation, and Mahnoor is keenly aware of the technological and societal trends that are shaping its future. Among the most influential trends she identifies is the rise of artificial intelligence in network management. AI-driven networks are revolutionising how infrastructure is maintained and optimised, introducing predictive maintenance and automated troubleshooting that significantly enhance performance and reliability. Equally transformative is the shift toward cloud-native architectures. These allow telecom operators to build and deploy services with greater speed and flexibility, supporting a more agile response to market needs. Edge computing is also gaining traction, bringing data processing closer to the source and enabling low-latency solutions for real-time applications. With the continued rollout of 5G and the emergence of private 5G networks, new opportunities are opening across industries. However, as networks grow more complex, robust cybersecurity integration is non-negotiable. Mahnoor highlights the importance of embedding comprehensive security measures at every layer, from firewalls and endpoint protection to application security testing. Technology must do more than advance—it must include. Real innovation happens when we make digital tools accessible to every community, not just the connected few. Driving Digital Transformation with Purpose At REDtone Digital Services, digital transformation is not a buzzword. It is a core pillar of the business strategy. One of the company’s most impactful moves has been the complete overhaul of its customer engagement platforms. The migration of all customers to a new, streamlined portal marked a significant leap in user experience, offering faster, more intuitive access to services. Internally, the focus has been on automation and cloud-first strategies. Automation has enabled operational efficiencies, allowing teams to focus on innovation rather than routine tasks. Meanwhile, cloud-first frameworks have strengthened the agility and scalability of the organisation. Through end-to-end monitoring platforms, the company is now able to track network performance in real time, quickly identify issues, and ensure consistent service delivery. Inclusion in leadership isn’t just about equality—it’s about innovation. Diverse voices bring fresh perspectives, and that’s exactly what the future of tech demands. Agility Rooted in Culture and Capability In an industry marked by constant change, agility is a key differentiator. Mahnoor believes that organisational agility is rooted in culture. By fostering a collaborative environment where cross-functional teams work together to co-create solutions, REDtone is breaking down silos and encouraging fresh thinking. The company also prioritises upskilling. Continuous learning programmes keep teams aligned with evolving trends in cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and network technology. Regular technical audits help identify areas for improvement and mitigate risks, ensuring the company’s infrastructure remains resilient and adaptable. This approach ensures that REDtone is not just reacting to change but actively shaping it. Innovations Enhancing Customer Experience and Efficiency Among the recent initiatives that Mahnoor takes pride in is the redesign of REDtone’s customer portal. The new interface offers enhanced speed, clarity, and functionality, significantly improving the user journey. To support this upgrade, the company has expanded its support ecosystem by integrating a comprehensive ticketing system. This has improved issue resolution times and strengthened customer trust. Another key innovation is the introduction of centralised monitoring dashboards. These provide a real-time overview of network operations and performance metrics, enabling proactive management and faster incident resolution. Together, these innovations reflect REDtone’s dual commitment to customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Embedding Sustainability into the Core Strategy For Mahnoor, technology and sustainability are not opposing forces but complementary goals. REDtone’s long-term strategy includes a clear focus on environmental responsibility. The company is actively working to reduce its carbon footprint by adopting energy-efficient technologies and exploring renewable energy sources for its operations. Circular economy principles, such as refurbishing and recycling equipment, have also been embraced. Moreover, the company is leveraging its technological expertise to help clients build more sustainable digital infrastructure. By digitising

Digital Version In the ever-evolving world of clinical research, visionary leadership is critical to transforming complex systems and streamlining the path from molecule to medicine. One leader who has consistently stood at the forefront of operational excellence is Joseph Kim, the Chief Strategy Officer at ProofPilot. With a career spanning over two decades and a reputation for candid insights and practical innovation, Joseph has become a respected voice in the industry, challenging conventions while guiding organizations toward smarter, more efficient trial execution. Where science meets strategy – streamlining complexity into meaningful progress in clinical research From Frustration to Transformation: A Strategic Career Pivot Joseph Kim’s journey into a leadership role in clinical research was born out of professional frustration and a deep desire to improve the status quo. After spending twenty-two years in the pharmaceutical industry, culminating in senior roles at Eli Lilly and Company, Joseph became disillusioned with the traditional approaches to clinical trial execution. The inefficiencies he encountered were not only costly and time-consuming but also error-prone and lacking in scalability. “I was frustrated with the conventional offerings to execute research,” he recalls. “They were high-priced, laborious, mistake-liable and took a very long time.” During his tenure at Lilly, he discovered ProofPilot, a digital clinical trial platform that dramatically changed his outlook. Impressed by the company’s streamlined operations and agile development capabilities, Joseph saw firsthand the impact that technology could have when deployed effectively in clinical trials. When ProofPilot secured its Series B funding, the decision to join the company as Chief Strategy Officer was a natural next step. It was an opportunity to drive the change he had long envisioned. Innovation and Efficiency: The Twin Pillars of Strategy As a strategic leader at a nimble and fast-paced start-up, Joseph is clear about the balancing act between innovation and operational efficiency. He recognizes that every moment and every decision matters in an environment where resources must be deployed wisely. “The pressure is too great to not be operationally efficient,” he notes. “There is simply no room to mess around with skunk works. Every moment counts.” Yet, ProofPilot’s agility also provides a platform for constant innovation. The company has carved a competitive advantage by responding to client needs faster than others in the market. This responsiveness is not just a hallmark of good customer service; it is a core component of ProofPilot’s value proposition. “We have had customers come back to us because competitors simply took too long to respond to a development request,” he shares. “Our speed and elasticity have enhanced strategic differentiators.” Navigating Complexity: Redefining Success in Trial Optimization One of the most persistent challenges in clinical research, according to Joseph, is the pursuit of perfection. Many stakeholders strive for idealistic, all-encompassing technological solutions that can deliver everything at once. While such ambitions are understandable, Joseph argues that this mindset often leads to unnecessary complexity and unrealistic expectations. “Too many stakeholders seek perfection, instead of realizing that good can be an enormous benefit,” he explains. He believes the real value lies in comparing proposed solutions not against an ideal but against the current state. This practical approach can help illuminate incremental improvements that generate significant impact over time. “Redirecting folks to compare a new idea to the current state can effectively demonstrate potential value,” he adds. The pressure is too great to not be operationally efficient — there is simply no room to mess around. Every moment counts A Defining Moment: Learning from the Data Throughout his career, Joseph has remained committed to evidence-based decision-making. One of the most defining moments in his professional journey came during the early wave of decentralized clinical trials (DCTs). A strong advocate of the model, he launched an experiment to directly compare virtual sites with traditional brick-and-mortar sites within the same study. The outcome was unexpected. “The brick-and-mortar sites enrolled more and delivered better data, at a lower cost,” he reveals. Rather than doubling down on his original belief, Joseph allowed the data to challenge his assumptions. The experience prompted deeper reflection and a more nuanced understanding of the limitations and strengths of both models. It was a humbling but enlightening moment that shaped his current approach to strategy and operations. Listening to the Root Cause: Fostering a Culture of Innovation At the core of ProofPilot’s culture is an unwavering commitment to listening. For Joseph, fostering innovation is less about implementing the latest technology and more about understanding the root causes behind challenges in clinical trials. He encourages his team to continually dig deeper and question assumptions. “It is always about listening intently to the customers and users and digging deeply into the true root causes and wider context,” he emphasizes. “Keep asking why after you think you have gotten the answer. You will be surprised at what lies underneath the symptoms.” This culture of curiosity and inquiry helps ProofPilot stay closely aligned with the real-world needs of its users and ensures that its solutions are grounded in practical value. Fall in love with a problem, not a piece of tech. At the heart of every great solution is an even better question. Leadership by Design: Clarity, Trust, and Autonomy Joseph’s leadership philosophy is grounded in simplicity and trust. He believes that once the company’s direction is clear, leaders must focus on building capable teams and empowering them to act independently. “If the north star of the company is clear and well understood, all that is left to do is hire great people, set measurable goals, and let them go,” he says. This principle-based approach not only fosters accountability but also encourages innovation at all levels of the organization. It is a strategy that aligns well with ProofPilot’s agile and collaborative ethos. Staying Grounded: Avoiding the Allure of Trends In an industry awash with buzzwords and emerging technologies, Joseph is deliberate about maintaining focus. While terms like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and decentralized trials dominate discussions, he cautions against being swayed by hype. “We do not chase trends and buzzwords,” he says.