Personal Profile

Merv Taylor

General Manager Sky Communications

Merv is the founder of Sky Communications and has worked in the RF Industry as an RF Engineer and business manager for over 25 years. A gifted RF engineer who’s managed to link the world of business with the Telecommunications services sector, to build a successful business which was acquired by Electra Ltd in 2009.

Merv is married with 4 children and resides in the Coatesville area of Auckland.

Suresh Ram

Financial Controller and Project Director

Suresh has been with Sky Communications since January 2008 and comes with over 20 years of experience in Accounting, Finance and Capital Market with extensive experience in Large Projects.

Suresh is a member of NZICA and holds an ACA with an Masters in Business Administration He is an invaluable member of the management team and the experience he brings having worked for an International integrator and consultant house such as EDS has been invaluable in our business when negotiating enterprise level Telecommunication agreements.

Suresh is a keen family man and enjoys following the cricket, rugby, fishing and staying current with National and International politics

Ben Lek

Australian Business Manager

Ben is a 21 year veteran of the Telecommunications infrastructure business. He began his career as a Radio Technician for Telstra. Since leaving Telstra in 1999, Ben has built successful business (General Purpose Group) which was acquired by Servicestrream in January 2007 and been a business leader in the Australian Industry for the last 12 years. Ben has completed Company Directors course with the Australia Institute of Company Directors and keen supporter of Mekhala House which is a charity organisation assisting underprivileged children in rural Cambodia. Ben is married with 2 children resides in Melbourne with his family.

Andrew Leach

Strategic Partner Manager

Andrew is responsible for all marketing and sales activity for Sky Communications. He is also responsible for Sky Communications brand development and strategic product developments from with in the business. Andrew come’s from a technical background as an electrical fitter having made the successful jump from electrical engineering into enterprise communications sales and business development. He’s previously held roles in Vodafone NZ, Gen-I NZ and Telecom International. His career spans back 20 years in the ICT sector. Andrew is married with 1 son and resides in castor Bay Auckland. He’s a keen motor racer in the TACCOC series in times past and is a former NZ Karate Veteran having held many titles since 2002. He also enjoys all following all sports and travelling widely with his family.

Jeff Partridge

Key Relationship/ Programme Manager

Jeff has been with Sky Communications since 1998. He trained as Radio Broadcaster and Audio production engineer and hails from Blenheim. Jeff is responsible for a number of key customer relationships and was the programme manager for Telecom’s XT Network roll out. Jeff has completed projects throughout the New Zealand and the Pacific and is Sky Communications most experienced project / programme manager. Jeff’s area’s of speciality are In-Building coverage solutions, Cellular design and build and Cellular In-building systems such as Eden Park, America’s cup village, Westfield shopping mall’s and various Hospitals throughout New Zealand. Jeff resides in Waiuku with his family and is keen motor sport enthusiast and classic car constructor.

John Van Loon

Systems Compliance Manager

John is a trained radio technician and began his career in 1974 with the NZ Post Office. He has over 30 years of experience in the RF field and is an invaluable member of the Sky Communications management team. John is responsible for all business processes and supporting IT systems and business applications. He’s also responsible for all OSH, ISO 9000 compliance. John likes to travel widely in his spare time and is married with three grown up children and resides in sunny Henderson in Auckland NZ

Lee Rapson

Operations Manager

Lee is Sky Communications Operations Manager. He is responsible for the day to day operation, logistics’, recruitment and allocation of resources to specific projects. Lee is from south of London has been in the Telecommunications industry for over 20 years. He began his working life as a rigger and switch technician and has gained experience in all things IT and ICT a long the way. He has worked for Telco operators all over the globe and has worked in various Global operators NOC’s in Operational and management roles. Lee has managed various large network roll out projects in Sky Communications and resides on the North shore of Auckland.