GSMA Announces Senior Leadership Changes Across Events and Industry Services Portfolio

John Hoffman transitions to Chair of GSMA Ltd; Sianne Ryder appointed CEO of Events and Industry Services; Bob Puglielli named COO of Events

5 May 2026, London: The GSMA today announces a series of leadership appointments across GSMA Ltd, effective 1^st July 2026, as part of the organisation's ongoing succession and talent planning.

After two decades at GSMA, John Hoffman will transition into the newly created role of Chair GSMA Ltd. For the past 20 years, John has been a defining force in shaping the mobile industry, guiding the growth of GSMA's events and services portfolios to achieve significant global scale and stakeholder impact. In his new role, John will focus on strategic relationship-building with host city partners across Barcelona, Shanghai and Doha.

Sianne Ryder has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Events and Industry Services and will join the GSMA Leadership Team. Sianne joined the GSMA in 2005 and has led business units spanning the Events and Services portfolio, across three continents. Her achievements include the development of MWC Shanghai and the growth of Industry Services. She is widely recognised for her ability to manage complex global programmes and align diverse stakeholders around shared goals.

To reflect Bob Puglielli's current responsibilities, his role will be renamed Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Events and will continue to lead the operational delivery of events across the MWC and M360 portfolio. Under Bob's leadership, GSMA's events portfolio has grown into new cities and attracting new verticals, industry leaders, partners and technology innovators to these influential platforms.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA said: "These appointments reflect the exceptional depth of talent we have within GSMA. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sianne and Bob as they step into these important new roles - I have no doubt they will continue to build on the strong foundations we have in place. I also want to take this opportunity to thank John sincerely. Twenty years of leadership is a remarkable achievement, and John's vision, energy and commitment have shaped not only GSMA and our events, but the broader mobile industry. We are fortunate that he will continue to bring his expertise and relationships in his new role as Chair."

John Hoffman commented: "It has been a privilege to lead the creation of a lasting legacy. Together, we have built something truly special - a portfolio of events and services that connect the world and help shape the future of our industry. None of that would have been possible without the extraordinary teams I have had the honour of working alongside and I am deeply grateful to every one of them. I look forward to continuing to support the organisation in my new role, and I have every confidence that Sianne and Bob will lead us to even greater things in the years ahead."

Sianne Ryder added: "It is a privilege to step into this role at such an exciting time for the organisation. Having been part of the GSMA for over 20 years, I know first-hand the dedication and talent that drives this organisation forward. I am excited to continue the work to grow our events and industry services, and to ensure we are well placed to seize the opportunities ahead. I also want to thank John for his extraordinary leadership - his vision has set a high bar, and one I will strive to match."

-ENDS-

About GSMA 

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach. This activity includes advancing policy, tackling today's biggest societal challenges, underpinning the technology and interoperability that make mobile work, and providing the world's largest platform to convene the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events. We invite you to find out more at gsma.com

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