11 July 2023

Utpal Bhowmick, senior sales director, Middle East & Africa, Hughes Network Systems

Who was your hero when you were growing up?
Like most kids who grew up in the 90s in India, I absolutely idolized the cricket player Sachin Tendulkar! He is one of the world’s best cricket players, and whether or not you follow the sport, he was a huge inspiration to so many people. He showed us what you can achieve by putting in the hard work and even at the peak of his success, he always displayed such humility and a great attitude.

What was your big career break?
I can honestly say my big break was when I started working at Hughes Network Systems. Prior to Hughes, I worked for a big equipment provider, so it was a big transition to move into the satellite niche within the telecommunications industry. It was a welcome challenge to step into this role and a great opportunity. I feel very fortunate to be part of an innovative company like Hughes with such a long and rich history in the satellite industry – we’ve been at this for over five decades now! While I’ve only been here about five years, I can now say I am thoroughly entrenched in this industry and can’t imagine working elsewhere.

“I’d love to share a meal with Prince Charles, especially now that he has been promoted to King Charles! I’ve been following him over the last few decades and its very cool to watch him come into his own style as he’s been in the royal spotlight.”

What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I always knew I wanted to be an engineer. My dad was an engineer and I’ve looked up to him my whole life so it was ingrained in me that I would eventually become an engineer. I am proud to have completed my engineering degree at one of the top schools in India. Although I’m not using my technical engineering skills every day, I am still an engineer at heart! I am a self-proclaimed technology geek, and my engineering degree comes in handy as I help companies design innovative and flexible connectivity solutions across the Middle East and Africa.

If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would you choose?
I’d love to share a meal with Prince Charles, especially now that he has been promoted to King Charles! I’ve been following him over the last few decades and its very cool to watch him come into his own style as he’s been in the royal spotlight. I admire all the work he’s been doing to promote sustainability and the preservation of nature.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My father gave me this advice a long time ago and it still rings true. He told me – ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get.’ I’ve carried this mantra with me throughout my professional and my personal life, from school to post grad and as my career continues to progress. I try to reflect this every day in my attitude and my work ethic, and I’ve seen the payoff that comes from working hard.

If you had to work in a different industry, which would you choose?
I really love technology so I think I would still be in the IT field in some capacity. If I could combine my technology skills with a way to give back in the education or healthcare space, that would suit my interests well. On a lighter note, I also love traveling – so maybe in my dreams I could be a travel blogger or influencer!

“Honestly, I’m much more of a jazz fan. I grew up listening to Indian pop and Bollywood music. But if I had to choose, I’d align myself much more with the Beatles and their boys next door image. I’m not edgy enough to choose the Rolling Stones!”

The Rolling Stones or the Beatles?
Honestly, I’m much more of a jazz fan. I grew up listening to Indian pop and Bollywood music. But if I had to choose, I’d align myself much more with the Beatles and their boys next door image. I’m not edgy enough to choose the Rolling Stones!

What would you do with £1 million?
First and foremost, I think the best thing to do would be to invest most of the money for my family’s future and my children’s education. I’d take some and travel the world, and then I’d take the rest and donate it. I’m already very involved with Child Rights and You (CRY) in India, so I’d love to be able to give back even more to the underprivileged children who need support.

What’s the greatest technological advancement in your lifetime?
Without a doubt, the internet! The dot com boom was just starting when I was in college, and I’ve seen first-hand how the internet has dramatically changed every single aspect of our lives. It has impacted our ability to stay connected, to book appointments, to travel the world, to bank online – just about everything we do these days relies on the internet. I can’t imagine how we would have survived the past few years without the internet as our lifeline. And it’s so interesting to see the next generation of the internet emerging with AI and ChatGPT – I can’t wait to see what is yet to come.