Expanding rural broadband provider Quickline Communications has appointed Craig Fairey as chief financial officer to support the continuing growth of the ambitious business.
It comes as the East Yorkshire specialist revealed it has transformed the online experience available to more than 50,000 households in hard-to-reach parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire by the end of 2022.
Almost 100 new mast sites went live across North and West Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and Lincolnshire last year, connecting 2,000 rural communities with “game-changing broadband access and speeds”. It was the first full year under new ownership, with Canadian investment firm Northleaf Capital Partners having bought the business in a £69 million deal in June2021.
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Mr Fairey brings significant experience and skills to the role, having qualified as a chartered accountant over 25 years ago and held senior financial positions across different industries, including the tech sector. He has joined Quickline from retail services provider Sigma, where he held a similar role for four years.
Quickline, led by chief executive Sean Royce, has virtually tripled the workforce since the £3 million turnover operation was bought out. It has gone from 60 to 175. “This has been another big year for Quickline,” Mr Royce said. “We continue to expand our network of 5G masts and full fibre infrastructure to some of the most remote corners of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, going into areas other internet providers leave behind.
“Fast and reliable broadband is fundamental to modern life. We use it for work, for education, for entertainment, and for keeping in touch with family and friends. We believe passionately that everyone should have access to a high-quality, reliable service, wherever they live, but many rural areas remain desperately poorly served.
“We’ve got more ambitious plans for 2023, as we continue to evolve and grow as a business.”
Of Mr Fairey’s appointment, Mr Royce said: “I’m delighted to welcome Craig to Quickline as the newest member of our executive leadership team. He brings a wealth of experience and a wide-ranging skillset to the role, which will be important to our ongoing development and growth plans.
“Craig’s appointment brings further senior expertise and capability to the business, ensuring we have the executive team in place to continue to drive and sustain our growth.”
A new roll-out plan is anticipated soon, with the company having successfully won significant government delivery contracts worth around £30 million. Last year also saw it move to a substantial new headquarters in Willerby.
Mr Fairey said: “I’m very excited to be joining Quickline and about the journey the company is on. The ambition and intent of the business is remarkable and the team that Sean has built around him is absolutely first class.
“Quickline has already delivered great results in rolling out fast, reliable broadband to rural communities, but there are so many more opportunities ahead.
“In my first few weeks I’ve been struck by the passion and energy of the people in the business. Everyone is pulling in the same direction to leave an amazing legacy that will have such a positive impact on the lives of many thousands of rural households and businesses.
“Having grown up in North Yorkshire, and now living in East Yorkshire, it’s fantastic for me to be playing my part in improving the lives of people in Yorkshire and across the North of England.”
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