The UK Fibre Awards was judged by a panel of industry experts who brought a range of experiences in the sector. Each judge individually and independently assessed the entries on their specific criteria alongside any support information provided.
The panel comprised of:
Vincent Disneur is currently an entrepreneur and investor into software companies specialising in integration, automation and AI across the UK, US and EMEA regions. He has 20 years comms and IT channel experience and was Managing Director of software billing provider Union Street where he led the company growth to billing circa £2 billion in annual partner revenues accrued through approximately 1,000 channel partners. During the span of his career to date Disneur and his teams have been awarded over 30 industry accolades.
Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in HR within the telecommunications sector, Lisa Hewitt has collaborated closely with senior leaders to cultivate inclusive and high-performing workplaces.
Camille Mendler has more than 25 years' multi-disciplinary experience in the digital economy and a global remit to anticipate key shifts in B2B demand patterns. Camille helps business leaders address go-to-market challenges: creating effective value propositions, building strong customer relationships and driving innovation. She has advised organisations including the International Telecommunications Union, Open Society Foundations and World Bank. Before her promotion to Chief Analyst, Camille launched Omdia’s SoHo and SME and Enterprise Verticals intelligence services. She has also worked as a telecom contract negotiator, expert witness in dark fiber matters, and technology journalist.
Carlos Pierce is the Co-Founder and Chair of the National Connectivity Alliance - an alliance of telecommunications providers, infrastructure providers, landowners and their professional advisers which brings together stakeholders to collaborate on areas of mutual interest with the goal of delivering world class connectivity for all. Carlos is an established General Counsel and has over 25 years’ legal and operational experience advising on complex telecoms, infrastructure, energy, compulsory purchase and utility projects. The Legal 500 has recognised Carlos as a Tier 1 Telecoms Industry Figurehead and recommended lawyer. Previously Carlos was Head of Legal Projects and Strategy at Cornerstone Telecommunications – the UK’s leading mobile infrastructure provider. In this role he worked closely with government, telecoms operators and landowner organisations to build closer collaboration within industry sectors and led the team responsible for delivering significant improvements to their fibre and transmission programmes.
Chris Stening is an Executive Coach & Advisor helping leaders in the Full Fibre & ISP community navigate through challenging times and realise their own potential in their professional and personal lives. Having run, led or transformed six Challenger Broadband businesses spanning Wholesale, Retail, Consumer and SME. With a career spanning business unit leadership, change, transformation and sell side M&A include leading the change of CityFibre from a Business to Consumer Fibre provider, running Separation & Integration planning for the proposed £10.25bn merger of 3UK & O2 UK, the sale and migration of 600k O2 Broadband customers to Sky and the launch of Sky Broadband in 2005. Chris is an active supporter of DEI having sponsored and established LGBT+ networks in O2 and CityFibre. He trained as an Executive Coach at Henley Management College and holds a First Class Degree in Business from University of Hertfordshire. Outside of work he is married with two adult daughters. A former unsuccessful pilot (with photos and scars to prove it), his passions are Cars, Travel, Skiing, Boating, Cycling, the Gym, being outside and making a difference.
Katie Whitehouse is a HR leader with over 20 years of experience in HR, working predominantly in the Media and Technology sectors. Having previously worked for companies including Sky, BlackBerry, and Ticketmaster in both global and regional roles, Katie is currently the Head of Global People in EMEA for ServiceNow. In her role, Katie works in partnership with Senior Leaders to drive business focused, outcome driven people strategies, whilst building inclusive workplace cultures where everyone can thrive. Outside of work Katie is a single parent of two young boys and a typical weekend is spent on the sidelines of a football pitch cheering them both on.