Mark is a seasoned telecom industry expert with a profound understanding of the evolving Altnet landscape. His extensive experience in sales, business strategy, and market consolidation has allowed him to closely follow the rapid expansion and mergers shaping the UK’s full-fibre industry. His insights provide a comprehensive view of how these changes are perceived in the public domain, keeping you well-informed and knowledgeable.

Having worked with Fibre Builders and installation Providers, Mark is crucial in determining network value. His insights into the impact of outsourcing and the challenges facing Altnets today are invaluable. Mark has produced LinkedIn articles, including The Importance of the Altnet and What is the Future for Altnets, which have sparked industry-wide discussions on investment trends, regulatory challenges, and the role of business connectivity in sustaining Altnet growth. His work enlightens you about the intricacies of the industry.

Mark’s role within COFNII will be marketing and producing articles and promotions on social media.

More information about what Mark’s organisation does can be found here

Rod brings over 30 years of experience in sales within the data centre and telecommunications industry. He specialises in power, cooling, cabinets, and infrastructure, particularly in data centres’ white space. His career has primarily focused on collaborating with major end users to provide tailored solutions and troubleshoot complex issues.

Rod currently works for Engineered Fabrication Solutions, where we supply solutions to the IT and Telecommunications sector. My extensive technical expertise in the data centre arena, including telecommunications connectivity, enables me to deliver valuable insights and solutions to clients.

Why did Rod join COFNII?

Rod joined COFNII because he has seen the lack of standards when installing equipment in data centres and the telecoms sector over the years, which left clients infuriated with poor quality. He found that talking to end clients, these issues need to be addressed to raise the standards to where they should be.

 More about EFS can be found on their website

Manoj Tailor is a customer-focused Solutions Engineer with over 25 years of experience working with DWDM, SDH, and IP technologies. He has worked for several large carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, gaining expertise in operations, sales, and business development within the telecom ecosystem.

Manoj possesses a diverse skill set, having covered various aspects of operations maintenance, network operations centers (NOC), network building and design, presales, post-sales, and test engineering. His extensive industry experience makes him a valuable asset, equipped with a deep knowledge base and practical skills.

Scott Bampton, a 29-year-old based in Winsford, Cheshire, has been working in the telecoms industry for eight years. He spent four years in the British Army as a telecommunications engineer, followed by a year as the lead fibre engineer at TNS. For the past three years, he has been with Zzoomm, where he has progressed from fibre team leader to the only fibre manager in the company.

Scott has a diverse range of experience across several key areas:

• Fibre Splicing: Proficient in splicing large, medium, and small nodes and cable sizes, including both underground and overhead distribution points.
• Fibre Testing: Skilled in point-to-point, PON, and ILM measurements and interpretation.
• Fibre Cabling: Extensive experience in underground and overhead cable installation.
• Blown Cable Installation: Experienced in blown cable installation using various machines for mid-span, point-to-point, and loop-through applications.
• Active Equipment/Patching: Knowledgeable in installing active equipment according to complex patching schedules and cabinet splicing.
• Survey/Planning: Adept at surveying and planning, particularly in challenging locations that require innovative solutions.
• NOI Build Closure Compliance: Familiar with compliance and requirements for build closures.
• Data Cabling and Containment: Involved in building multiple military FOB data centers and telecom infrastructure to support operations rooms.
• Civils: Possesses sufficient understanding of civil practices to effectively communicate the necessary actions for completing fibre jobs.
• Copper Jointing Experience: Has experience in copper jointing.

Scott is committed to advancing the future of the telecom industry by advocating for proper training for those seeking careers in telecoms and providing assurance to companies that they are hiring individuals with a proven track record to deliver high-quality networks.

Independent Consultant

As Head of Design, Darren Keen has led a team of network design engineers and consultants to deliver high-quality, cost-effective fibre network solutions for business and residential communities across the UK. With over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, he possesses a deep understanding of fibre network technologies, including OSP, ISP, data centres, and infrastructure in highways, as well as knowledge of standards, best practices, and the challenges and opportunities involved in expanding broadband access in underserved areas.

Darren’s core competencies include communication, working under pressure, problem solving, project planning, networking, and organisational leadership, all of which he has developed and demonstrated throughout his career. Before joining Voneus Broadband, he served as a Senior Network Design Manager at Liberty Global for nine months, where he managed the planning and design of fibre network projects for residential and business customers. Darren also provided consultancy services to various companies for over two years as a fibre planning and design consultant, employing advanced tools and methods to map, survey, and design fibre network infrastructure. His mission is to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance connectivity and improve the quality of life for people.

Senior Passive Engineering Specialist, CityFibre

I am a Senior Passive Engineering Specialist at CityFibre, with over 10 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. My role focuses on designing and maintaining passive network infrastructure, helping to ensure the delivery of full-fibre connectivity across the UK.

My expertise is in fibre and optical testing, where I specialise in ensuring signal integrity, optimising network performance, and troubleshooting complex issues within fibre-optic networks. I have extensive experience in testing methodologies such as OTDR, iOLM, OPM, insertion loss, and continuity testing, all of which play a vital role in maintaining the quality and reliability of fibre infrastructure. I’m also skilled in ensuring compliance with industry standards and conducting thorough quality assurance on new installations and upgrades.

Outside of work, I stay active through running, going to the gym, and participating in motorcycle track days

Solutions Engineer, VIAVI Solutions

As a Solutions Engineer at VIAVI, I provide technical support for optical testing in telecoms networks. This ranges from handheld testers, like power meters and OTDRs, to systems that enable constant network monitoring and proactive fault management.

I began my telecoms career in the Applied Research division at BT and later moved to Openreach, where I focused on approving new components and testers for the fibre optic network. At both BT and Openreach, I was a subject matter expert in optical testing and passive optical components, contributing to internal training and documentation, as well as externally published patents and standards.

My involvement in standards began earlier in my career, when I worked in aerospace, contributing to standards for aircraft lighting as part of BSI and EASA. I hold a PhD in experimental physics from the University of Dundee.

Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a passion for solving technical challenges. I enjoy collaborating with cross-functional teams to find innovative solutions that enhance reliability and efficiency in telecoms systems. Helping customers overcome network and testing issues to optimise their systems brings a sense of fulfilment and keeps me excited about the ever-evolving field of optical technology.

After seven years in the Royal Signals, David Moore began his career as a splicer in 1996 with Avonline, followed by a role at Highspec on the Telewest builds. After working as both a splicer and later a manager, he established his own business, which he ran for 11 years, primarily focusing on the VM NW business fibre contract. He then spent a couple of years with CSP working on dark fibre networks before becoming a freelance fibre engineer, covering contracts with Altnets, VM, OR, various private installations, councils, universities, and ERS. In 2021, he joined Airband and quickly rose to the position of Technical Authority.

While much of his time has been dedicated to splicing, testing, and fault finding on various fibre infrastructures, David also has experience in underground cabling, minor and major installations, project management, and man management. More recently, he has been involved in network design. Since joining Airband, he has redesigned the fibre architecture, implemented new processes, and adjusted the product offerings to create a more efficient and compliant network build.

He was enthusiastic to learn about the plans to introduce tangible industry standards for fibre networks and the professionals working on them. He believes these standards are long overdue and essential for improving the quality and stability of broadband services in the UK. David feels that his industry experience, drive, and understanding would be beneficial to these efforts.

Jennie Bayliss is the founder of Mantralis, a project management agency that blends versatility with precision—described as “Swiss Army knife meets Nurofen.” The agency specializes in delivering multi-million-pound projects on time and within budget across various sectors. For the past eight years, Jennie has concentrated on a diverse range of telecommunications projects, partnering with landlords and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to improve connectivity across the UK. In addition to her role at Mantralis, she serves as a Non-Executive Director, Board Advisor, Chair of Trustees, and Business Mentor.

With eight years of experience managing fibre broadband installation programs, Jennie has collaborated with both tier 1 and tier 2 providers, engaging with private and social landlords. Her extensive work with landlords, ISPs, and their subcontractors has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the entire process—from initial conception to service readiness.

Having witnessed both the successes and challenges within the telecommunications industry, Jennie is passionate about driving positive change. She aims to help shape how the industry delivers services to the public, ensuring that all stakeholders collaborate to enhance connectivity for the benefit of everyone.

Sarah Grange has worked in the telecommunications industry for 25 years, specializing in access, transport, transmission, and FTTP. Currently, she serves as the Chief Delivery Officer at Lightspeed Broadband, where she is responsible for the Networks entity of the Lightspeed Group, providing full fibre connectivity to communities in East Anglia, Essex, Lincolnshire, the East and West Midlands, and Staffordshire. Previously, she held the position of Head of Delivery at VX Fibre and has also worked at Cityfibre.

At 47 years old, Sarah resides in Nottingham with her partner and their two basset hounds. In her spare time, she enjoys watching Chelsea, going for walks, and socializing with friends and family.

Sarah is TPMA certified (Telecommunications Project Management Association) and NEC 3 accredited. Throughout her career, she has designed and built networks, starting as a splicer and working her way up through management over two decades.

She advocates for changing the way networks are deployed, emphasizing the importance of quality, analyzing skills gaps, and providing relevant training in the industry to enhance standards for the benefit of suppliers and clients alike.

Bob Dowell is a seasoned Sales and Business Development Director with over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications sector. He has a proven track record in managing cutting-edge telecom data networks across multiple business units and technologies. As an executive leader, Bob excels in navigating complex systems and addressing both company and customer challenges. He is adept at building, leading, and motivating sales and marketing teams, guiding them from initial customer solutions to successful sales and nurturing long-term client relationships.

With extensive experience at the director level, including board involvement, Bob possesses a dynamic and entrepreneurial mindset. His technical background complements his sales expertise, allowing him to develop and implement successful sales strategies that lead to multi-million-pound deals. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in creating innovative business lines, expanding customer bases, and launching new product portfolios.

Bob’s wealth of market knowledge, leadership in sales departments, and experience in establishing direct and channel sales lines position him as a key asset in any organization. His ability to forge strong customer relationships is supported by a robust network of connections across the IT and telecommunications sectors, from vendor delivery to tower management and systems integration.

Andrew joined the committee as a member who, like many others, wanted to bring change to the industry. He brings his industry knowledge and expertise from IT and Telecommunications infrastructure. He sees the need for the Confederation of Fibre Optics and Network Infrastructure and Installers to support the industry, which is long overdue, and help transform COFNII.

Like many others on the committee, he brings his knowledge and wants to see standardisation and change to support the industry better. He has over 25 years of experience in all parts of the infrastructure on Openreach and has been engaged with the changeover to Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) since its inception. He has worked nationwide for various alternative network providers (ALTNETS) and Openreach. He started in VSAT installs for BT, progressed in cabling and jointing, and moved into supervisory and management roles.

COFNII welcomed Andrews’s valued input on training and the secure digital ID card scheme to help prevent fraudulent certificates and operatives from using fake identities, which have grown increasingly.

Operatives have been obtaining accreditations without attending proper training courses, which infuriates me and many others. It’s evident that operatives have been poorly trained. With COFNII, we can address and help resolve these issues. IT and Telecommunications need to be like the electrical and gas installer scheme, and installers should be accountable and have their membership revoked for poor quality. We can only do this with a trade membership like COFNII.