John Hoffman, the long-standing CEO of GSMA Ltd., is transitioning to the newly created role of Chairman, effective July 1, 2026, after two decades at the helm of the organization's event business. In this new capacity, Hoffman will concentrate on fostering strategic relationships with host city partners for MWC events in Barcelona, Shanghai, and Doha.
This leadership change is part of a broader organizational restructuring within the GSMA. Sianne Ryder, who joined the GSMA in 2005 and has held various senior roles, has been appointed CEO of Events and Industry Services and will join the GSMA's leadership team. Bob Puglielli's role as General Manager of Events will be renamed COO for Events, and he will continue to oversee operational delivery across the MWC and M360 event portfolios.
Hoffman's tenure has seen significant evolution of MWC, which celebrates two decades in Barcelona. He noted that while it's still called Mobile World Congress, the event has expanded far beyond the mobile ecosystem to include diverse sectors undergoing digital transformation, with connectivity remaining its core focus. The conference program features 24 stages and between 1,700 and 1,800 speakers, complemented by 3,000 exhibitors across approximately 240,000 square meters of space, addressing pressing issues and future trends like AI ethics.
Hoffman has also highlighted the global mobile industry's new era, marked by the convergence of 5G and AI. He praised China's integration of these technologies across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and port operations, citing examples such as China Mobile's predictive maintenance systems and China Telecom's automated crane operations. Despite rapid progress, Hoffman warned of the "usage gap," where 3.1 billion people still lack mobile internet access, emphasizing the need for universal connectivity and multilingual AI development to prevent an "AI divide."
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of the GSMA, lauded Hoffman's two decades of leadership, stating that his vision and commitment have significantly shaped GSMA, its events, and the broader mobile industry, while also congratulating Ryder and Puglielli on their new roles.
