BeFibre welcomes 15 specialists to further bolster broadband workforce

The UK’s newest full-fibre broadband provider BeFibre has appointed 15 key hires to assist in the nationwide roll out to connect 1 million premises with broadband by 2027.

Following the announcement of £100m of Basalt Infrastructure Partners private funding to help BeFibre and sister firm Digital Infrastructure provide coverage to around 80 towns and cities in the next five years, both organisations have also earmarked plans to build a combined 350-strong workforce by the end of 2022.

Warrington-headquartered BeFibre’s most recent additions bolster the team’s marketing, digital, sales, product and business development, HR, finance, and stakeholder expertise.

Some of the new staff include chief marketing communications officer, Rob Andrews, who has been appointed to oversee the sales, marketing, digital and comms teams. Joining his team is head of marketing, Sinead Gilbert, who has two decades’ worth of experience working with notable industry brands including 16 years at BT.

Ex-Google employee Ben Smith heads up the digital department where he and the team are managing the new website build, online marketing and email automation services. Meanwhile Phil Jefferey is heading up customer services and retention.

And sales director Tim Dagnell-Scott will be drawing on his years of telco and altnets knowledge to support customers with their ultra-fast broadband roll outs.

Commenting on his appointment, he said: “I feel privileged to work with some of the best industry talent. We have assembled a phenomenal leadership team who all share the same passion – to deliver a world-class network and keep the customer promise.”

BeFibre’s sister firm Digital Infrastructure, is responsible for planning, building and operating fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks across the UK. Homes are already ready for service in Brentwood, Worcester, Clacton on Sea, Crewe and Nantwich.

Now Oundle, Maltby, Dinnington, Hyde, Hattersley, Heysham, Skelmersdale, and parts of Rotherham and Lancaster, are the latest locations to be revealed on the ambitious roadmap.

The work will mean communities and businesses can access download and upload speeds up to 13 times faster than the fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) coverage that currently spans the majority of the UK*.

Speaking about the recruitment success to date, BeFibre and Digital Infrastructure CEO Charlie Ruddy, added: “Now more than ever, premises need fast and reliable broadband connectivity to function. This type of service was perhaps considered a luxury before, but today is a necessity.

“To achieve our goals, we need world-class talent who are all committed to maintaining the promises we make to customers and ensuring BeFibre becomes the broadband provider of choice. We’re building an energetic workforce full of exceptional people who pride themselves on keeping communities connected.”