Alternative network provider Wildanet, which is deploying a gigabit speed Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across rural parts of Cornwall and Devon in England, has today appointed a trio of new chiefs (CCO, COO and CFO) to help oversee the deployment of its new network and strengthen its leadership team.
The operator, which originally started life as a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband provider in the same area, has recently been deploying gigabit-capable full fibre lines – both commercially and via public investment – and is estimated to have so far covered around 30,000 premises (Ready for Service). Since 2023, Wildanet has also secured 3 contracts worth £77m to roll out FTTP to over 37,000 premises across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, as part of the UK government’s Project Gigabit.
In terms of the new appointments, Simon Hughes has just been named their new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), while Alastair Woods will become the operator’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Jai Madhvani has joined Wildanet to take up the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Suffice to say that the ISP has added a lot of experience to their ranks.
Simon was previously the CCO for alternative network provider County Broadband, and has also held senior roles at BT and Microsoft. As for Alastair, he previously held senior roles within Openreach and BT Group. Finally, Jai was most recently the Group CFO of The Collective, which builds and operates large-scale city-based co-living residential projects.
Wildanet CEO, Helen Wylde-Archibald, said:
“We are delighted to be able to announce the completion of the Wildanet senior team with three high calibre appointments bringing highly relevant expertise and huge industry experience to the business.
Simon, Alastair and Jai are all inspirational leaders and managers who will play key roles working with myself, Justin, Julie-anne, the Board and the wider Wildanet team as we continue our work to bring Full Fibre broadband to more communities across the region, with support from Project Gigabit, the UK government’s rollout of lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK.”
Pictured (L/R): Justin Clark (Chief Strategy & Technology Officer and Deputy CEO); Jai Madhvani (Chief Financial Officer); Helen Wylde-Archibald (CEO); Alastair Woods (Chief Operating Officer); Julie-anne Sunderland (Chief People Officer) and Alastair Woods (Chief Operating Officer).