Jonathan Lishawa
Technology & Energy Executive · Strategic Adviser · Board Director
Twenty-five years building, scaling, and exiting technology businesses across energy, telecoms, and AI.
From founding award-winning start-ups to managing £200M+ P&Ls at listed companies. Available for executive leadership, board, and advisory roles where energy, telecoms, and AI converge.
Organisations I've worked with
How I Create Value
Operating experience applied to your growth, transformation & governance challenges
Revenue Growth & Market Entry
I build and scale commercial operations in new markets, turning early-stage businesses into category leaders with sustainable revenue engines.
- Grew Comtrend UK from £60M to £155M, swinging EBITDA from -4% to +6%
- Part of Sercomm management team growing group revenue from $1.27B to $2B
- Bulldog Broadband: launched superfast broadband, scaling sales to >40K/month
- Founded Cirricom, growing consultancy revenue to £1M+
Digital Transformation & Innovation
I design and execute transformation programmes that modernise operations, launch new product categories, and create competitive advantage through technology.
- Led Payzone's technology transformation driving £75M+ in exits
- Launched world's first Smart Energy Display with Alexa Built-In
- Built IoT solutions deployed across tens of millions of connected devices
- Developed payment platform adopted by 25,000 merchants and the Post Office
Governance, Policy & Critical Infrastructure
I bring regulatory fluency and government-level relationships to organisations operating in complex policy environments across energy, telecommunications, and technology.
- Sitting member of Ofgem's Smart Energy Code Panel
- Advisory Council, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
- Active member of Chatham House on infrastructure & security
- Trusted adviser on supply chain security, critical minerals, and technology policy
Strategic Exits & Value Creation
I've been on both sides of the table: building businesses to the point of exit and leading the strategic process that maximises shareholder value.
- Payzone UK & Ireland: disposal for £35M + €40M
- Comtrend: business sale to Edimax at PE ratio 12.9
- Bulldog: built revenue to >£80M, led customer base sale to Pipex for £45M
- C&W consolidation: negotiated supply contracts worth £250M
Track Record
25 years building, scaling, and exiting technology businesses
£300M+ in new revenue generated. Five successful exits. Software teams, Tier-1 accounts, PE transactions, and regional operations built from scratch across Sercomm, Bulldog Broadband, Payzone, Presciense, and Cirricom.
What People Say
From colleagues across the industry
Jonathan's understanding of the technology market and network is unlike anyone I have met.
One of the most capable and broadly knowledgeable people I came across at Vodafone. An impressive understanding of telecom and media, and how emerging technologies create new business opportunities.
A proven entrepreneur and leader who has demonstrated his ability to develop multi-million-pound businesses. Strong commercial acumen and a clear plan for the organisation he manages.
Current Positions
Board, advisory & governance roles
Chairman & Founder
PrescienseAward-winning IoT software company connecting the smart grid to the smart home. Clients include DCC, EDF, SSE, Deutsche Telekom and Enel. UK Energy, European Smart Energy & TNW Award Winner.
Non-Executive Director
TimebeatStrategic guidance to Time-as-a-Service platform for precision timing across critical infrastructure and financial markets.
Panel Member
Ofgem Smart Energy CodeAdvising the UK energy regulator on smart metering infrastructure, data governance, and consumer protection.
Advisory Council
UK Foreign & Commonwealth CouncilTechnology policy, supply chain security, and international infrastructure development.
Member
Chatham HouseInternational policy dialogue on critical infrastructure, energy security, and digital transformation.
Trustee
The Matthiessen FoundationCharity focused on the environment and poverty relief. Governance and strategic direction.
Research & Intelligence
The analytical work behind the advisory
Every board seat and advisory engagement I take is backed by continuous research. That same capability is available to operators, investors, and policymakers working across energy, telecoms, and AI. Clients have included Vodafone, Three, BT Group, DCC, and EDF.
Product Innovation
Building what comes next
I also build working prototypes. The Home Hub demo shows what an integrated home platform could look like: broadband, energy, security, and family controls in a single interface, built around the hardware and data that operators already have.
Thought Leadership
Speaking, publishing & industry commentary
Speaker at MWC Barcelona, NetworkX Paris, Bloomberg New Economy Forum Singapore, Tech UK, and the UK House of Commons Select Committee. Published by illuminem and Foreign Affairs. Presenter to Tier-1 operators including Vodafone and Three.
Credentials
Education & recognition
Education
Mathematics for Machine Learning
Imperial College London · 2018–2019
B.Eng. Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Middlesex University · 1993–1996
Awards & Recognition
- 2018 UK Energy Award Winner
- 2017 European Smart Energy Award
- 2016 TNW Award Winner
- LinkedIn Top Voice
- illuminem Top 100 Contributor
Let's Talk
Executive leadership, board roles, advisory engagements, strategic research, and speaking. If you're working through an infrastructure, energy, or technology challenge, I'd welcome a conversation.