New appointments boost Hampshire telecoms business

Phill Stockdale-Woodhead has joined the Hampshire-headquartered firm having spent more than 18 years with Virgin Media, most recently as its learning experience manager.

Taking on the responsibilities of the learning and development function at Trenches Law, Phill will be training employees to enhance their telecoms law and client knowledge, as well as drive forward the company’s ambitious product roadmap.

Commenting on his new role, Stockton-on-Tees-based Phill said: “From my very first interview, I knew this was the place for me. It is unlike anywhere else, and I love the company ethos, the supportive, family-like culture and how exciting the growth strategy is.

“I’m keen to grow the business portfolio and enhance our current learning and development provision. Trenches Law has an energetic and talented workforce – each employee offers something fresh and unique to ensure we deliver exceptional client services to some of the largest UK telecoms operators.”

A career change for former school kitchen manager, Kelly Hope, sees her appointed as a wayleave officer. Utilising her organisational skills, she will play a vital role in swiftly progressing the often time-consuming and complex legal agreements so that full-fibre projects don’t stall.

Kelly said: “I’m enjoying every single minute here and learning so much – it’s an organisation that supports my ambitions and my eagerness to move up the ladder.

“We’ve got a diverse team that’s keen to learn and is full of experts as a result because there’s no stone left unturned. It’s refreshing to be part of a business that appoints people based on energy and enthusiasm, as well as their work background.”

Alongside internal promotions throughout the business – including Alex Lawrence as paralegal – and welcoming work experience students in the summer, the Odiham-based organisation is developing more services to help the telecoms industry meet the Government’s gigabit-future ambitions. That will include an offering which enables contractors and operators to speed up installations so residents in multi-dwelling units can access full-fibre coverage quicker.

Sharon McDermott, managing director and co-founder of Trenches Law, added: “We’re building a tenacious team dedicated to both getting under the skin of clients’ organisations and providing solutions which simplify the details of their complex connectivity builds.

“These recent appointments show we’re committed to developing an organisation that focuses on talented employees who bring added value – Phill and Kelly offer this in abundance.”