Helios Towers plc Updates Board Following Quantum Strategic Partners’ Shareholding Dip Below 10%

Helios Towers’ Strategic Operations in Africa and the Middle East

Helios Towers plc operates as a prominent independent mobile tower company, providing critical telecommunications infrastructure across nine countries in Africa and the Middle East—regions experiencing rapid mobile service growth. With nearly 15,000 tower sites, Helios Towers ranks among the largest and fastest-growing FTSE-listed companies focused on these strategically important markets. Its extensive infrastructure portfolio enables it to deliver essential tower and power services to multiple leading mobile network operators, facilitating mobile connectivity expansion in high-growth markets.

The company’s innovative colocation model allows multiple mobile network operators to share individual tower sites instead of constructing separate facilities. This approach enhances end-user performance, reduces environmental impact through efficient infrastructure deployment, and lowers costs for network operators deploying and maintaining services. By hosting several operators on shared sites, Helios Towers achieves operational efficiencies that have established it as the preferred partner for leading mobile network operators in the region, supporting economic and human development through essential infrastructure investment.

Quantum Strategic Partners’ Shareholding Falls Below 10%, Triggering Agreement Termination

The governance update follows a material event in Helios Towers’ shareholder register. The Shareholders' Agreement with Quantum Strategic Partners Ltd required maintaining a minimum 10% shareholding to retain the right to appoint a board director. After Quantum’s stake fell below this threshold, the agreement’s provisions automatically terminated Quantum’s director appointment rights, resulting in David Wassong stepping down from that role.

Full details of the Shareholders' Agreement are available in Helios Towers’ 2025 Annual Report and Financial Statements, accessible via the investor relations website at www.heliostowers.com/investors/annual-report/. This ensures transparency for shareholders and market participants regarding governance arrangements and board composition. The termination of this appointment right does not impact other contractual relationships between Helios Towers and Quantum or other stakeholders.

David Wassong Continues as Non-Executive Director with Committee Roles

Despite stepping down as Quantum’s shareholder-appointed director, David Wassong remains actively involved with Helios Towers as a non-executive director. This ensures his expertise continues to benefit the board amid ongoing strategic and operational developments. Non-executive directors provide independent oversight, management performance review, and specialized knowledge enhancing board governance.

Effective 23 July 2026, Mr Wassong has been appointed to the Nomination and Technology Committees. The Nomination Committee oversees board composition, succession planning, and director recruitment, while the Technology Committee focuses on governance of the company’s telecommunications infrastructure. These appointments allow Mr Wassong to contribute his expertise to critical areas supporting Helios Towers’ long-term operational excellence and strategic positioning.

Compliance with Regulatory Disclosure Requirements

Helios Towers’ announcement complies with UKLR 6.4.6R(3), per the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules governing disclosures of board composition and director role changes. This ensures investors and stakeholders receive timely and accurate information on governance changes material to investment decisions and risk assessments. The regulatory adherence confirms proper documentation and market notification of this governance update.

Such compliance reassures investors that Helios Towers maintains high corporate governance standards consistent with FTSE-listed company expectations, potentially enhancing investor confidence in the company’s management and risk oversight.

Independent Tower Infrastructure as a Vital Asset in Emerging Markets

Helios Towers operates in a sector where independent tower companies provide shared infrastructure critical to enabling multiple mobile network operators to efficiently serve rapidly expanding markets. In Africa and the Middle East—regions with some of the fastest mobile penetration growth globally—tower infrastructure is a key constraint on network expansion. Mobile operators require access to professional tower sites, as duplicating infrastructure is cost-prohibitive in markets with limited per-capita income and operator profitability. Helios Towers addresses this need by offering well-maintained, multi-operator tower sites under long-term service agreements, generating stable recurring revenues.

The company’s focus on operational excellence includes business process improvement, staff training, and continuous development to deliver global standards in challenging environments. This approach creates competitive advantages, strengthens customer loyalty, and positions Helios Towers as the partner of choice for leading mobile network operators. Its disciplined capital allocation and long-term operator partnerships underpin resilient financial performance and support infrastructure expansion.

Board Composition and Governance Transition Insights

While director changes can attract investor attention regarding board independence and decision-making, this update reflects an automatic contractual outcome of shareholding changes rather than a removal or dispute. Mr Wassong’s continued role as a non-executive director with committee responsibilities indicates the company values his contributions and seeks governance continuity despite the shift in his appointment basis.

Investors may observe how this transition influences board diversity and experience. Mr Wassong’s committee roles position him to impact director selection and technology governance, reflecting confidence in his expertise and possibly supporting succession planning and enhanced oversight of complex infrastructure challenges.

Shareholder Agreement and Capital Structure Implications

The termination of Quantum Strategic Partners’ director appointment rights highlights how shareholding thresholds in shareholder agreements can trigger governance changes in FTSE-listed firms. Such agreements protect significant shareholders’ rights, including board representation contingent on maintaining minimum ownership levels. Changes in shareholdings—through sales, acquisitions, or dilution—can activate these provisions automatically, as seen here with the 10% threshold commonly used to balance material ownership and governance rights.

For investors, understanding these mechanisms provides insight into shareholder strategies, capital structure evolution, and potential future board changes. Quantum’s reduced stake may reflect portfolio adjustments or dilution effects. The 2025 Annual Report offers comprehensive details on shareholder rights and governance provisions relevant to future developments.

Infrastructure Investment Landscape in Africa and the Middle East

Helios Towers operates in regions with significant long-term infrastructure investment opportunities. Africa and the Middle East are among the fastest-growing mobile markets globally, with millions gaining mobile access for the first time. This growth drives ongoing demand for tower infrastructure expansion and maintenance, supporting independent tower operators’ business models. Mobile network operators expanding coverage and enhancing network quality rely on professional tower infrastructure providers with local expertise and regulatory relationships.

Helios Towers’ status as one of the largest and fastest-growing FTSE-listed companies operating in these regions underscores its strategic importance. Its disciplined capital deployment and strong operator partnerships generate stable revenues enabling reinvestment in infrastructure and capabilities. This model supports economic development and digital connectivity, positioning Helios Towers as a catalyst for unlocking human and economic potential across its markets.

Investor Considerations Moving Forward

Following this governance update, investors should monitor board committee changes that may signal broader governance or strategic shifts. Tracking Quantum Strategic Partners’ shareholding developments will provide context on shareholder engagement and future involvement. Helios Towers’ investor relations, led by Chris Baker-Sams, Head of Strategic Finance and Investor Relations, remains available for governance inquiries.

Investors should also watch operational metrics such as tower expansion progress, contract renewals with major mobile operators, capital expenditure plans, and macroeconomic trends affecting operator profitability in Africa and the Middle East. The 2025 Annual Report and Financial Statements provide detailed disclosures to contextualize this governance change within Helios Towers’ overall strategic and operational outlook.