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Zia Bhadiar: Driving TMT
Innovation & Growth in Australia
Zia Bhadiar is a results-driven Telecommunications, Media & Technology (TMT) Partner, expert in accelerating growth and pioneering transformation across the dynamic Australian market.
Executive Summary & Navigation
Discover the unique value Zia Bhadiar brings as a transformative TMT leader, driving significant impact and innovation across the Australian market:
Strategic Visionary at Bain & Company
Guiding top-tier clients through complex TMT challenges, delivering high-impact strategic advisory and transformative growth initiatives.
15+ Years Driving TMT Market Leadership
Leveraging extensive international experience across 3 countries to deliver unparalleled insights and foster innovation in telecommunications, media, and technology.
Pioneering ANZ TMT Practice Growth
Instrumental in building and scaling TMT practices within the ANZ region, directly contributing to 50-60% of regional revenue growth and market expansion.
Architect of Value: Strategy, M&A, & Infrastructure
Specialized expertise in crafting winning strategies, executing successful M&A transactions, and optimizing critical infrastructure and network investments.
Unique Blend: Engineer to COO Leadership
From a foundational role as a Telecom Design Engineer to Chief Operating Officer at a major Telco, bringing a rare combination of deep technical understanding and executive operational excellence.
Career Timeline
15+ Years of TMT Leadership
2024-Present
Bain & Company
Senior Advisor
2021-2024
Oliver Wyman
Partner
2020-2021
Delta Partners
Managing Director
2015-2019
Strategy&
Senior Engagement Manager
2011-2015
TeleResources
Partner & COO
2007-2011
GTL Limited
Country Manager
2005-2007
Mobilink Jazz
Network Design Engineer
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Deep TMT Specialization
Expertise
Customer Value Management
  • Maximize customer lifetime value.
  • Reduce churn & boost profitability.
Infrastructure & Wholesale
  • Optimize telecom infrastructure assets.
  • Develop innovative wholesale strategies.
Customer Value & CX
  • Drive loyalty & satisfaction.
  • Accelerate revenue growth via digital transformation.
Convergence & Bundling
  • Increase customer stickiness.
  • Boost ARPU with integrated offerings.
Network & Technology Strategy
  • Forward-looking technology roadmaps.
  • Optimize network investments.
Segmentation & MVNO
  • Targeted market segmentation.
  • Expand reach with MVNO partnerships.
Enterprise and SMB Service
  • Specialized B2B service offerings.
  • Tailored for enterprise & SMB.
Infrastructure Value Unlocks
  • Maximize infrastructure asset value.
  • Innovative business models & partnerships.
Due Diligence & Transactions
  • Comprehensive M&A due diligence.
  • Commercial, technical & operational insights.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Building TMT Practices Globally
Professional Experience
Senior Advisor |
Bain & Company
Sydney, Australia | Nov 2024 – Present
As a Senior Advisor, I support Bain & Company in strengthening its TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) competency within the Australian and New Zealand markets. My role involves cultivating and deepening trusted advisor relationships, while strategically expanding the firm's presence in strategy, transformation services, and transaction support. I also contribute global expertise in complex areas such as network, infrastructure, and B2B operational excellence.
Partner & Head of CMT |
Oliver Wyman
Sydney, Australia | Nov 2021 – Nov 2024
In 2020, I joined the three-partner team to rebuild and grow the CMT practice in the Asia-Pacific region. I drove marketing and brand uplift efforts across the region while leading all aspects of the Australian CMT practice.
Key Achievements
Practice Growth & Leadership
Expanded the CMT practice in Australia, increasing the team from 2 to 12 and driving significant revenue growth. The practice ranked 11th in the Vault APAC TMT Consulting rankings.
Client Acquisition & Relationship Management
Developed and executed client acquisition strategies, building strong relationships and ensuring high-quality deliverables. I consistently drive 50-60% of Oliver Wyman Australia's CMT revenue by securing high-profile projects for major telcos.
Business Development
Drove revenue growth through strategic business development initiatives in Sydney and the broader Asia-Pacific region, contributing to impactful work for major clients.
Thought Leadership & IP Development
Enhanced and leveraged the firm's intellectual capital within the CMT practice, becoming a recognised thought leader in the Australian telecom market.
Engagement Delivery & Quality Assurance
Ensured consistent delivery of high-quality work, upholding the firm's reputation for excellence while collaborating effectively with global colleagues on international projects.
Selected High-Impact Projects at Oliver Wyman
Infrastructure & M&A Assessment
Assessed telecom infrastructure and M&A opportunities, encompassing data centres, TowerCo acquisitions, and retail divestitures, providing strategic insights that enhanced asset value and successful transactions.
Revenue Growth Strategies
Created detailed revenue growth strategies, such as content monetisation for sports organisations, retail repositioning, and SMB transformation, leading to increased customer engagement and business expansion.
Cost Optimisation
Managed cost optimisation and operational efficiency initiatives, emphasising field force operations, fibre deployment efficiency, and delivery partner models for cost reductions and process improvement.
Organisational Transformation
Directed organisational transformations for integrated telcos, enhancing operational focus and market agility through restructuring efforts, which led to improved market positioning and revenue growth.
Customer Experience Enhancement
Improved customer experience frameworks, conducting CX maturity assessments and implementing customer-centric programs to drive higher customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention.
Digital Infrastructure Strategy
Devised strategies for next-generation digital infrastructure, such as edge data centres and small cells, aiding telecom operators in meeting future digital demand and enhancing network capabilities.
Equity Narrative Development
Crafted persuasive equity narratives for digital assets, aligning strategic messaging with investor relations and boosting market confidence in telecom operators' long-term growth prospects.
Managing Director | Delta Partners
A part of FTI Consulting | Sydney, Australia | Jan 2020 – Nov 2021
Leading TMT sector specialist strategy consulting firm. Hired as the first Delta Partners employee in Australia, tasked with establishing and growing the firm's presence in the ANZ market.
Key Achievements
Accelerated Revenue Generation
Secured a major Tier 1 client and expanded Delta's footprint in the media segment through strategic partnerships, directly contributing to significant revenue growth.
Built High-Performing Teams
Attracted and recruited top local talent, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment by seamlessly integrating consultants from FTI and Delta's global network.
Established Thought Leadership
Solidified industry recognition through keynote presentations at major events, active participation in strategic discussions with industry leaders.
Successful Engagement Delivery
Led complex engagements, including enterprise transformations and TowerCo transactions, ensuring high-quality deliverables and client satisfaction.
Selected High-Impact Projects at Delta Partners
5G Network Rollout
Developed a 5G rollout prioritisation strategy for a telecom operator, optimising resource allocation based on ARPU growth potential and customer experience metrics to accelerate deployment.
B2B Segment Rapid Revenue Recovery
Led a successful B2B segment transformation for a large telco, achieving significant improvements in lead generation, sales effectiveness, and customer value management.
Connectivity Strategy and Funding Model
Formulated a connectivity strategy for a wholesale-only NetCo and designed an investment model enabling a smart region authority to achieve its digital vision.
Satellite Refresh Options
Conducted a thorough assessment of the satellite footprint, analysed market evolution, and explored potential service options, culminating in a robust strategy for satellite refresh.
These projects demonstrate my ability to tackle complex telecommunications challenges across various domains, from cutting-edge 5G implementation to strategic business transformation and innovative connectivity solutions. Each engagement required deep industry knowledge, strategic thinking, and practical implementation expertise to deliver measurable results for clients.
Senior Engagement Manager | Strategy&
Sydney, Australia | Jul 2015 – Dec 2019
At Strategy&, I joined as a post-MBA hire (Associate), was classically apprenticed in core strategy consulting toolkits, and progressed to Senior Engagement Manager.
Key Achievements
Leveraged Relationships
Utilized existing relationships to bring in major funds and open up discussions with CTOs to deliver numerous commercial DD engagements and network capex assessments.
Team Development
Played a key role in recruiting, training, and developing a high-performing team of 8 members, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
Thought Leadership
Developed insights on 5G, IoT, spectrum strategy, CAPEX planning, and network cost reduction and actively took to market – declared best marketing campaign leveraging thought leadership.
Selected High-Impact Projects at Strategy&
1
M&A and Market Entry Initiatives
Directed M&A and market entry initiatives for MVNOs, international investment banks, and HAPS operators, performing thorough due diligence to facilitate strategic market expansion and infrastructure investments.
2
Revenue Growth Plans
Formulated extensive revenue growth plans, encompassing regional distribution enhancement, digital marketing strategies, and product management for telecom operators and educational institutions, fostering growth in both mature and developing markets.
3
Cost Transformation
Executed cost transformation and efficiency assessments for universities, legal firms, and telecom operators, realising major cost savings and operational optimisations across various industries.
4
Customer Experience Optimization
Optimized customer experience and retention strategies, creating customer value management projects, enhancing omnichannel retail experiences, and developing churn reduction programs that significantly increased customer interaction, loyalty, and profitability.
During my tenure at Strategy&, I consistently delivered high-impact projects that created significant value for clients across multiple sectors. My approach combined rigorous analysis with practical implementation strategies, ensuring that recommendations were not only strategically sound but also operationally feasible. This period of my career allowed me to refine my consulting toolkit while developing deep expertise in telecommunications strategy, customer experience optimization, and digital transformation.
Partner & COO | TeleResources
Sydney, Australia | Jun 2011 – Jul 2015
TeleResources is a boutique telecom consulting firm specializing in network planning and optimisation, and digital infrastructure advisory. I led strategy and business development for impactful telecom projects while expanding client services. In 2014, I sold my equity share to my partner to care for a family member with cancer.
Key Achievements
Business Transformation
Transformed TeleResources into a high-growth consultancy, scaling the team and services, resulting in fivefold revenue growth and double profit margins - from a <$1M revenue to a $7M+ sales in four years, expanding services and securing major clients across the telecom ecosystem.
Team Building & Client Relationships
Scaled the team from 4 to 65, fostering a high-performance culture while cultivating trusted C-level relationships throughout the industry.
Software Migration Leadership
Led the phasing out of competitor software and deployment and migration to Atoll network planning software for all the mobile network operators in Australia/NZ, and subsequently migration from on-premises to cloud infrastructure.
Selected High-Impact Projects at TeleResources
Infrastructure & Transaction Advisory
Advised on major telecom infrastructure deals, including TowerCo divestitures and mobile tower portfolio carve-outs for commercial, operational & technical DD scopes. These projects helped clients maximize asset value while ensuring operational continuity during transitions.
Network Optimisation & Transformation
Led network strategy, CAPEX modelling, and deployment planning, delivering significant network transformations and performance improvements for mobile operators including Optus SA3 program, VHA Network Modernisation, Spark LTE rollout, and 2Degrees RAN uplift.
Technology & Operational Advisory
Assisted clients with technology selection and implementation, including the NSW Telco Authority network rationalisation program and a private LTE network strategy for a major mining operation, ensuring optimal technology fit and implementation success.
At TeleResources, I combined technical expertise with business acumen to transform a small consultancy into a significant player in the telecommunications advisory space. By focusing on high-value services and building strong client relationships, we achieved remarkable growth while delivering exceptional value to our clients. This experience demonstrated my ability to build and scale a business while maintaining quality and client satisfaction.
The diverse range of projects executed during this period—from infrastructure transactions to network optimization and technology implementation—showcases my versatility and deep understanding of the telecommunications ecosystem. Each engagement required careful consideration of technical, operational, and commercial factors to ensure successful outcomes.
Country Manager & Practice Head | GTL Limited
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Oct 2007 – Jun 2011
GTL Limited is a global provider of telecom infrastructure solutions, offering network services, operations, and managed services. I joined as a team leader and quickly progressed to take on regional leadership roles. I expanded GTL's presence in the SEA region, drove business growth, and managed client engagements.
Key Achievements
Business Turnaround
Transformed a declining $25M annual revenue business by focusing on client satisfaction, operating model, and outsourced costs, returning the company to profitability.
Restructured Network Consulting Practice
Reoriented network consulting practice of 70+ resources in APAC around service lines and revamped services. Improved sales to increase resource utilisation.
Developed Business Strategy for Vietnam
Developed business strategy and operating model for a new office in Vietnam, leading execution to scale the business from zero to $2M revenue.
Selected High-Impact Projects
Engineering Manager (Alcatel Lucent Malaysia)
Developed, scaled, and managed the Radio Network department, leading a multicultural team of 30+ experts in network design, optimisation, and acceptance.
Technical Consultant (Packet One Malaysia)
Led the technology strategy, design evaluation, and vendor finalisation, working closely with the CTO and the CEO.
Early Career & Education
Network Design Engineer | Mobilink Jazz
Lahore, Pakistan | May 2005 – Oct 2007
Planned the mobile radio network for the sensitive Pakistan-India border areas, effectively coordinating with senior stakeholders, including government bodies, intelligence agencies, armed forces, and local communities.
Academic Excellence & Leadership
National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST),
Islamabad
Bachelor of Telecom Engineering (Honours), 2002
  • Laid the foundation of my technical expertise at NUST, a premier engineering university.
  • Awarded the University Medal for academic excellence.
  • Recognized for the Best Final Year Project.
  • My research in wireless communications led to two published research papers, showcasing early dedication to innovation and scholarly contribution.
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business,
Chicago |
MBA (Exchange), 2013
(Dean's List)
  • Expanded my global perspective at the esteemed Chicago Booth, a top-tier institution renowned for its rigorous analytical approach to business.
  • Actively participated in the Restructuring & Turnaround Group, specializing in corporate finance and valuation to drive business transformation.
Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), University of New South Wales, Sydney
MBA (Executive), 2014 (Distinction)
  • Culminated my business acumen at AGSM, a globally recognized leader in executive education.
  • Actively contributed to the Consulting & Finance Club, focusing on strategic management and leadership.
  • This program further honed my ability to drive strategic growth and lead complex organizations.
RECOGNITION & IMPACT
Awards, Publications & Thought Leadership
Awards & Recognition
APR Emerging Partner (<3-year tenure)
Highest internal & external Impact, Oliver Wyman, 2023
Most Downloaded IC
Global cross-industry small & medium business benchmarks, Oliver Wyman, 2022
Most Innovative Project
Satellite strategy refresh options and business case, Delta Partners, 2020
Best Thought Leadership Campaign
Case for 5G: Hype vs Reality, Strategy&, 2019
Strategy& Future Leader
Recognised for potential future firm or industry leader, Strategy&, 2018
These recognitions reflect my commitment to excellence and innovation throughout my career. From being acknowledged as an emerging partner with high impact at Oliver Wyman to creating industry-leading thought leadership at Strategy&, I've consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver exceptional value to both clients and my organizations.
The awards span multiple aspects of professional excellence—from innovative project execution and thought leadership to future leadership potential—showcasing the breadth of my contributions to the telecommunications and consulting industries.
Publications & Thought Leadership
1
2024
"Customer-Centricity at the Core: Prioritising Satisfaction," Interconnect World, Sydney, August 2024
2
2023
"New Age of Satellite Implications for Telcos," CommsDay Wholesale Congress, Melbourne, June 2023
"Australian Consumer Preferences: Cost-of-Living Pressures" CommsDay Summit, Sydney, May 2023
3
2022
"Investor's Risk Perception Passive to Active Infra" CommsDay Wholesale Forum, Melbourne, June 2022
4
2021
"The Battle of Bands The 5G mmWave Opportunity for Australia," CommsDay Summit, Sydney, April 2021
5
2020
"5G & Edge Compute Value Potential for Australia," CommsDay Summit, Sydney, April 2020
6
2019
"Regulator of the Future" Telstra Legal and Corporate Affairs' Growth Forum, Melbourne, September 2019
"IoT & 5G Monetisation Strategies," March 2019, Ericsson APAC Executive Leadership Strategy Offsite
"To Build or Not to Build: Making a Case for 5G," February 2019, Strategy& Public Thought
My thought leadership contributions span critical topics in the telecommunications industry, from emerging technologies like 5G and IoT to strategic business considerations such as customer-centricity and infrastructure investment. Through these publications and presentations, I've helped shape industry discourse and provided valuable insights to stakeholders across the TMT ecosystem.
Social Impact & Professional Development
Social Impact & Community Welfare
Pro Bono Strategy Support (2023)
Happy Boxes: Developed a five-year plan to expand their impact, helping deliver essential items to Indigenous women in remote communities.
Movember Foundation (2015-Present)
Raised over $5K annually to support men's health initiatives.
Professional Development and Memberships
→ Oliver Wyman Forum (Partner Development Program)
01
Negotiation and Conflict Management, Spain (2024)
02
Commercial Effectiveness, London (2023)
03
Leadership Immersion, New York (2022)
→ I maintain active memberships in the CEO Institute (2014-Present) and the Australia-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce (2013-Present), which provide valuable networking opportunities and professional development resources.
Personal Interests & Languages
Interests
Passionate about AI, IoT, and global technology trends. Enjoys mentoring young professionals and exploring new technologies in telecom infrastructure.
Languages
Fluent in English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi
References: Available upon request
Connect With Me
Let's Discuss How I Can Help Your Organization
With extensive experience across the TMT sector and a proven track record of driving transformation and growth, I'm always interested in discussing new challenges and opportunities. Whether you're looking for strategic guidance, operational expertise, or insights into emerging technologies, I'd be delighted to connect.
My approach combines strategic vision with practical implementation, ensuring that transformative initiatives deliver measurable results and sustainable value. I believe in building lasting relationships based on trust, transparency, and consistent delivery of exceptional outcomes.
Email
zia.bhadiar@bhadiar.com
Phone
+61 434 381 634