Fibrus-Name-on-Engineering-Van-below-Door-Mirror
Infracapital-backed alternative network operator Fibrus, which is currently busy building a new full fibre (FTTP) broadband ISP network across rural parts of Cumbria (England) and Northern Ireland, has today announced a reorganisation of their business and also the appointment of two new Managing Directors (MD) to “lead their next phase of growth“.
The past few months have been fairly challenging for Fibrus, including recent job losses (here) and having to deal with the network damage caused by a major storm (here). But they’ve also seen the confirmation of an extension to their Project Gigabit broadband roll-out in Cumbria (here) and are now looking to the future. Fibrus’ network currently reaches over 400,000 UK premises and has connected 100,000 customers.
NOTE: Fibrus is backed by a total investment of around £845m, including £320m of committed debt, £200m in current and committed equity funding and £325m of government funding (e.g. £197m Project Stratum – up to 82,000 premises by June 2025 in N.Ireland – and the c.£150m Project Gigabit contract for 53,500 premises in Cumbria – Hyperfast GB).
However, today’s new appointments follow a strategic decision to reorganise the Fibrus Group into three distinct businesses – Fibrus Broadband, Hyperfast Networks, and Viberoptix, all of which sit within the Fibrus Group. The organisation claims that this new operating model is designed to “set the group up for success in a fast-moving environment and to enable future growth and expansion“.
Advertisement
As for those appointments. The company’s previous Director of Sales and Marketing, Keava McHugh, will step into the role of Managing Director of Fibrus Group’s retail brand, Fibrus Broadband. In this role, Keava will continue overseeing the Fibrus brand, which she has led from its start-up phase to a trusted household name in Northern Ireland
Meanwhile, Jenny Lennon will take the reins of Hyperfast Networks, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the growing network in NI & GB, developing the wholesale proposition, and managing the delivery of government funded projects.
Colin Hutchinson, Managing Director at Fibrus Group, said:
“Jenny and Keava know the business inside out and have been integral to the Fibrus journey, bringing experience, perspectives, and unstoppable energy that has been instrumental to our success story so far.
As Fibrus steps into this new era, freshly crowned as the fastest-growing tech company in Northern Ireland and second fastest on the Island of Ireland, we’re proud to be leading the charge for innovation, championing customers, bridging the digital divide, and connecting communities.”
The two new roles will join the Senior Leadership team which includes founders Dominic Kearns, CEO, and Conal Henry, Chair, as well as Conor Harrison, Chair at Viberoptix, Shane Haslem, COO, Linda McMillan, CPO and Colin Hutchinson as Group MD and CFO.