Innovation, agility, creativity – and not being fearful of disruption are constants in Gilles’ career. “In my view,” he says, “change – good or bad – is rarely something to fear.”

Growing up in France in a ‘pieds noir’ family with his Spanish mother and French father, he was surrounded by many different ways of life. Now, he lives amongst vineyards in Switzerland with his South African-Swiss wife. “We are a melting pot of many cultural influences at home,” he says.

A self-confessed “tech-man,” Gilles completed a Computing degree in the UK before launching his career in the digital space in 1994. Eight years later, he took a position at UEFA, where he climbed the ranks from Project Manager to Head of Digital.

During that time, many of the disruptions in the world of sport were digital-related – an environment that provided him with ample opportunity to hone his craft.

Now, as President of the LIVE Division, it’s his job to work and service with sport organisations, leagues, and broadcasters to bring the world’s most-loved sports to life. He leads 200 people within the company, and reacting to market and industry change is the only aspect of his career he can rely on.

“Deltatre has innovation stitched into its DNA,” he says. “As an innovator, this is a fantastic playground for me.” It’s often why, he says, business plans can only peer a couple of years into the future rather than further ahead.

His gravitation towards unknown climes isn’t unique to his professional life, as outside of work he can often be found trekking, backpacking, and adventure biking.

He also has two young daughters – “they are my biggest life achievement,” he says. “It’s really the most transformative experience I’ve ever lived, they’ve made me the happiest man on the whole planet.”