Jim Underwood – Managing Director

As Managing Director Jim’s overall responsibility is the direction & management of the FOSS Group of Companies.

He is also the owner of ComSol Ltd which is the UK parent company. He started Comsol over 23 years ago and has successfully grown this organisation from start up. He is still actively involved in the management of this company. In 2005 Jim relocated to the U.A.E. to assist with the further development of FOSS. Having graduated from Essex University with a Masters degree in Microwave Engineering and Mathematics he started his career with Marconi Communications as an engineer responsible for satellite communications and Earth Stations.

Jim has an extensive background within the telecommunications sector having spent his early career as one of the senior managers responsible for building Mercury’s (now C&W) national telecommunications network in the UK. In this role, he was also responsible for the design and implementation of Mercury’s two Earth Stations as part of Mercury’s international telecommunication network infrastructure.

Jim is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD) and has held this qualification for over nine years. Jim has participated in many technical design groups and was also a member of the UK OFTEL (now OFCOM) steering committee responsible for the development and definition of inter operator interconnection agreement for UK telecommunication operators.

Paul McCabe – Commercial Director

Paul joined FOSS in 2008 and brings with him extensive technical and commercial experience within the telecommunication and networking industry.

Paul started his career in 1985 with Optronics, a Cambridge based UK Company involved in the supply of optical network components, splicing and test equipment to BT, research laboratories and emerging network installation companies involved in the first generation of optical networks.

In 1992 he joined Cambridge Cable – one of the first cable TV companies in the UK to offer both cable TV and telecommunication services. This also included one of the first pre commercial trials of broadband cable modems in conjunction with Cambridge University.

As Director of Business Services for Cambridge Cable Group, Paul led the business to business operating unit responsible for the provision of business telecommunication services throughout the East of England. In 1999, Cambridge Cable was acquired by NTL (now Virgin Media) and he became responsible as Regional Director for London Home counties and East of England regions.

Prior to joining FOSS Paul was Chief Executive Officer for ADIT East a Department of Trade & Industry backed start up organisation involved in the delivery of broadband networks in the East of England.

Paul has also worked as an independent consultant for BSkyB and Easynet, one of the UK’s largest ISP’s, he was instrumental in the development of their carrier grade IP softswitch services and operational model for the delivery of carrier grade managed services.

Craig Vance - Operations Manager (UAE)

Raji Maaraoui – General Manager (Abu Dhabi)

With more than 17 years of vast professional experience in Telecommunication Industry, Raji has embraced all levels of responsibility in our Company.

He has been managing; LEBANON, AFRICA and UAE multi-disciplined contracts for more than 9 years, and for over 8 years working with FOSS, Raji has been executing vast projects in design and implementation of UTP structured cabling systems, ISP/OSP fibre optic networks, PSTN & CATV Network.

Raji’s experience has embraced various levels of responsibility in direct technical supervision and all related areas of contract and design management, planning, evaluations, and account settlements.  By working in his home country as well as overseas for clients, consultants and telecom operators, Raji gained a broad understanding of the varied contracts requirements, standards and specifications used worldwide in the Telecom industry.

His contribution to the growth of FOSS has been proven invaluable, and since early 2011 Raji has been given a post of General Manger of Abu Dhabi Area, which he occupies till present.

Mohammad Khartabil – General Manager (Qatar)

As General Manager of FOSS (Qatar), Mohammad’s overall responsibility is the management and running the Qatar office.

Mohammad joined FOSS in May 2004. He has undertaken building the new branch of FOSS in Qatar, the third office of the FOSS Group. Mohammad has shaped strong relationships with key companies in the local market, including KAHRAMAA, NDIA, and many other projects. He worked in both the Jordanian and the Saudi market before coming to Qatar.

Khalid Nazzal – Technical Support Manager (UAE)

Khalid joined FOSS early 2011 and has more than 7 years experience in security management systems, including a solid knowledge of CCTV. Access Control, Intruder Alarm, SMATV and much more. He has a solid knowledge of Fibre Optic Communication Systems, accomplished research in FOCS at Photonics Laboratory in Chalmers, Sweden.