The telecom veteran, with 30 years of experience across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, takes charge as HGC sharpens its focus on connectivity, ICT integration and AI-ready services.
HGC Global Communications has appointed Dr Frédéric Schepens as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November 2026, as the Hong Kong-based telecommunications and ICT solutions provider prepares for its next phase of growth across enterprise, consumer, carrier and international markets.
Schepens succeeds Andrew Kwok, who is leaving the Group to pursue the next chapter of his career. Kwok will support the leadership transition to ensure continuity.
With three decades of international telecom experience, Schepens brings expertise in digital infrastructure, carrier services and network businesses. He founded and led Bayobab, MTN Group’s open-access digital infrastructure business, and previously held senior carrier leadership positions at Vodafone and BICS.
“Fred Schepens brings deep international experience in digital infrastructure and carrier services as HGC enters its next phase of growth.” — Darrin Webb, Executive Vice Chairman, HGC
His appointment comes as HGC seeks to bring its connectivity, digital infrastructure and ICT capabilities closer together, positioning these services to address changing enterprise requirements, particularly around secure operations and AI adoption.
“I am proud to join HGC and build on the expertise of our people and the trust of our customers,” Schepens said. He identified strengthening core businesses, integrating capabilities and helping customers adopt AI with confidence as key priorities.
HGC Executive Vice Chairman Darrin Webb said Schepens’ experience in building digital infrastructure businesses and developing customer and partner relationships across markets made him well suited to lead the Group’s expansion.
Hong Kong will remain HGC’s home market, while the company intends to strengthen the city’s position as an international digital hub connecting Asia with global markets.
HGC operates across 19 global offices, with a staff presence in 33 cities. Its infrastructure includes an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross-border telecommunications routes integrated with tier-one operators in mainland China, and connections with hundreds of international telecom operators.
The leadership change comes as telecommunications providers face growing demand for integrated connectivity, digital infrastructure, managed ICT services and secure platforms to support enterprise AI initiatives. HGC’s ability to combine these capabilities will be central to translating its infrastructure footprint into new growth opportunities.
Kwok described his tenure as a privilege and credited HGC’s employees, customers and partners for helping the company navigate industry changes and challenging market conditions. He expressed confidence that Schepens’ international experience would support the Group’s continued development.