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Synamedia appoints Nick Thexton as CTO
MUMBAI: Synamedia has appointed digital TV software pioneer Nick Thexton as chief technology officer (CTO). Nick will drive Synamedia’s ambitious agenda of technology innovation and investment, and lead the development and delivery of new system solutions that help customers transform their business models and accelerate their transition to IP. Nick will be in charge of the company’s video platform engineering, product management, architecture and marketing.
With Nick’s appointment to this expanded CTO role, former Synamedia CTO Alok Gera moves to the position of senior vice president and general manager, North America. With 20 years’ industry experience under his belt, Alok now leads Synamedia’s customer-facing organization and activities in the region.
Nick joins Synamedia following a stint as group CTO at German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. His previous positions were chief digital & product officer at satellite operator, Inmarsat, and CTO for UK TV platform YouView.
From 1994 to 2012 Nick worked at NDS, then at Cisco until 2014 in the position of VP and CTO of Cisco’s Service Provider Video Software Solutions. Nick started his career working with UK broadcasters Channel 4 and Thames Television, having graduated in engineering from Imperial College, London.
“Having spent years in R&D shaping many of the technologies that make up Synamedia’s portfolio, I have a deep affinity for the offerings and organization. My immediate focus will be an injection of ideas to support operators as they transition to IP broadcasting and develop new business opportunities. New initiatives will help video service providers win more eyeballs and build revenues in the IP era,” said Synamedia CTO Nick Thexton.
“There are few individuals in this industry with Nick’s technical prowess and pedigree. With his passion for innovation, Nick will instil new levels of creativity into our R&D activity to keep our customers one step ahead in a competitive sector. With Nick at the helm, our reputation for impactful industry-defining innovation will continue undimmed,” said Synamedia CEO Yves Padrines.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
