Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Managing Director operating in the Telecommunications space. If you think a Managing Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Neil McRae
Managing Director and Chief Architect of BT Global Services
Named after Neil Armstrong, Neil has a personal purpose of working to connect as many people together as possible, and this is been a driving force in his career. Since the early nineties Neil has been a leading innovator in the Internet and Telecommunications industry: from using open software to create one of the first service providers in the UK, to building several Global Telecommunications and Internet Networks. Neil has significant knowledge and experience in IP technologies and also significant experience with Optical, Mobile, Voice, xDSL, MPLS and Ethernet. He ran Network Engineering at COLT for ten years, (where he also contributed to COLT’s datacentre build) and ran Network Engineering at Cable and Wireless for four years. For the last four years Neil has led BT’s global network strategy, culminating in extending BT’s leading position in the Gartner magic quadrant, and supporting significant global network expansion. In addition, Neil has worked to expand BT’s footprint and capability in the UK, from BT’s fibre network through to Ethernet, Broadband and TV services. Neil is one of two ‘Distinguished Engineers’ in BT. Neil has been involved in the start-up of many internet governance and supporting organisations, and has been a non-executive director of the London Internet Exchange for fifteen years. Neil has studied leadership and management at Sloan School of Management. He is married with one daughter and has a passion for motorsports and technology.
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About BT Global Services: BT Global Services plc is a division of United Kingdom telecommunications operator BT Group.
Howard Watson
Managing Director – Architecture and Global IT Platforms of BT Global Services
Howard was appointed as CEO of BT’s Technology, Service and Operations division, and Group CIO, in January 2016. As CEO of TSO, Howard is in charge of the company’s ‘engine room’; thirteen thousand staff and eight thousand contractors responsible for BT’s core networks and IT systems across the globe. The division manages the company’s internal and external platforms – including TV, Mobile and Conferencing – as well as BT’s world class research and development arm at Adastral Park, Suffolk. BT TSO Previously, Howard was BT’s Chief Architect and MD Global IT Systems, and led the technical teams behind the launch of BT Sport in August 2013. In this role he also transformed the way software development is carried out at BT. He joined BT in October 2011, bringing 30 years of telecoms experience with him, including time spent at Virgin Media and Telewest, and as MD of Cartesian, a telecommunications consultancy and software company. Howard possesses a broad knowledge of technical and operational leadership with expertise in engineering, strategic development and business transformation. His areas of expertise include telephony, digital TV, IP services, high definition TV and ‘ultra’ high speed broadband. He also has experience of integrating networks and IT from his time in the cable industry, experience that will prove useful as BT integrates its network with EE’s. Howard is 53 years old with three children, and is also a qualified pilot.
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About BT Global Services: BT Global Services plc is a division of United Kingdom telecommunications operator BT Group.
Sarah Verity-Thomas
Managing Director of Cinven
Sarah is a member of the Investor Relations and Fundraising team and is responsible for Cinven’s client services on behalf of our Limited Partners. Previously, Sarah worked as a Manager in the Private Equity Transaction Services group at KPMG, advising private equity clients on M&A and restructuring deals across a range of sectors. Prior to this, Sarah spent four years with Arthur Andersen, where she worked in the Private Equity Tax group and gained her Chartered Accountancy qualification. Sarah holds an MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. She joined Cinven in 2005.
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About Cinven: Cinven is an international private equity firm focused on building world-class global companies.
Tarek Bayazid
Managing Director of Cinven
Tarek is a member of the Investor Relations and Fundraising team. Previously Tarek worked as a Vice President in the Alternative Assets Group at Citigroup, advising private equity clients with a broad range of products, including M&A advisory, leveraged finance and private equity fundraising. Tarek holds an MSc in Communications and a BA in History from Boston College. He joined Cinven in 2014.
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About Cinven: Cinven is an international private equity firm focused on building world-class global companies.
Richard Leigh
Managing Director of Focus Assured
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About Focus Assured: Focus Assured is a consulting firm dedicated to creating and delivering genuine value for clients’ businesses.
Dana Pressman Tobak
Founder, CEO and Managing Director of Hyperoptic
As joint founder and Managing Director of Be Un limited, the record-breaking 24 Meg broadband provider of 2005, Dana took the business from start to launch in just six months. By placing the consumer at the heart of success (Be customer support continues to win awards to this day) and generally refusing to take no for an answer, Dana has been building successful global businesses for over 20 years. Co-founder and director of Hyperoptic, Dana brings expertise in commercial agreements, financial business practice and purchasing, and an unshakeable vision for Hyperoptic’s success.
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About Hyperoptic: Hyperoptic is a fiber-based internet service provider.
Martin Arumemi
Co-Founder & Managing Director of EE
Arumemi-Ikhide is the MD and Founder of EE. He also serves as the MD of Hansworth Ltd and General Manager of Engineering for Rockson Engineering. In both Hansworth and Rockson Engineering he is responsible for the leadership, execution and construction of the 4 NIPP power plants in FGN. He has lead the firm to the successful commissioning of the first phase of the 1074MW Alaoji CCGT plant. He is also progressing the completion of the 225MW Omoku, 225MW Gbarain and 338MW Egbema OCGT also based in FGN. Prior to joining Hansworth, Dr Arumemi-Ikhide worked for GE Power and Water for more than seven years as a Senior Project Manager, overseeing the execution of several landmark projects. At GE he was the Project Manager for two combined cycle plants that were using GE 9FB based in Spain and Turkey notably. Whilst at GE, he was on the fast track of the firm’s world renowned leadership programme. Dr Arumemi-Ikhide holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from Warwick University. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from University of Birmingham. He possesses and is attending a number of business management executive courses including leadership programme from Boston University and is currently completing a leadership programme at Oxford University Business School.
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About EE, Rockson Engineering: EE is a telecommunications company that provides 4G mobile and fixed fiber broadband services to personal and business customers.
Neil Griffiths
Managing Director, UK of TeleTracking
Neil Griffiths is a seasoned healthcare executive, bringing more than 20 years of public and private sector experience to TeleTracking’s UK operations. In his role as Managing Director, he is leading the UK business and is part of the global TeleTracking senior leadership team. With his deep understanding of hospitals and experience of managing change, Mr. Griffiths ensures that TeleTracking’s approach and solutions are deployed in the most effective way to support long term sustainable impact. Prior to joining TeleTracking, Mr. Griffiths was the Deputy CEO and a board member at University College London Hospitals [UCLH] Foundation Trust, one of the leading acute academic hospital providers in the UK. In that capacity, he was responsible for the development of uclh future, the Trust’s ambitious transformation strategy that combines the creation of new operating processes and use of technology with the development of leadership and change management capabilities. Prior to that, Mr. Griffiths was the entrepreneurial leader and a board member for the McKinsey Hospital Institute (MHI) in the UK. Neil holds an MBA from the University of Westminster and a BSc in Politics from the University of Bristol.
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About TeleTracking: TeleTracking Passionate About Optimizing Hospital Operations & PatientFlow.
Robert Baker
Managing Director, EMEA of First Orion
Robert has been at the forefront of telecom technologies for over 30 years, creating a vision for open networks via APIs that is now widely adopted. He brings First Orion’s cool new applications and services to the European market.
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About First Orion: First Orion allows businesses to brand communications, revealing the who and why behind the call to deliver enhanced customer experiences.
Douglas Gilmour
Founder & Managing Director of Mobius Networks
Douglas Gilmour Founder and Managing Director 30 years in the high tech industry and formed Mobius in 2003. The driver of Mobius strategy and all of innovative processes that have contributed to Mobius’s reputation as the most reliable and innovative mobile comms supplier in the sector. A TSA Board member.
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About Mobius Networks: Mobius is the UKs first integrated data airtime provider.
David Crawford
Managing Director of Cellnex Telecom Sau
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About Cellnex Telecom Sau, Evestra Onkologia: Cellnex Telecom Sau is an infrastructure operating company that has expertise in wireless telecommunication business.
Jonathan Burrows
Managing Director of ASK4
Founded Ask4 in 2000 to provide telecommunications services to multiple-tenanted buildings. Ask4 has grown from a start-up with a single employee working in a basement to a respected, award winning company with over one hundred staff with revenues expected to top £14 million in the current year. In 2009 took the strategic decision to form a subsidiary, Ask4Business, to focus on the provision of managed telecoms. services to multiple-tenanted buildings. Through organic growth, continued investment and acquisition, Ask4Business has growth 100% year on year since its inception. Responsible for group strategy and business plan execution with a particular focus on finance, customer service and technology. Specialties: Large scale IP networks, business start-ups, company law, corporate governance best practice, the new-new thing…
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About ASK4: ASK4 was formed in 2000 specifically to focus on the delivery of telecommunications services
David Macfarlane
Managing Director – Direct of Gamma
David joined Gamma in 2012 following Gamma’s acquisition of his managed services business Varidion Limited and now heads up Gamma’s direct solutions arm. Prior to this, David was CTO at Sirocom and laterally the Group CTO at Azzurri Communications. He has gained over 30 years’ experience in creating and delivering managed communications services. Before becoming a supplier of services, David held senior IT roles in the NHS and major city law firm.
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About Gamma: Gamma is a leading supplier of voice, data and mobile products and services in the UK.
Tim Jefferson
Managing Director of The Human Chain
Tim Jefferson is the Managing Director of The Human Chain, providing business and technical consultancy, service realization and thought leadership in mobile and wireless in Europe and North America focusing on new product and service introduction. Tim is a senior consultant with over twenty-five years of commercial and technical experience. He is a natural enthusiast for his subject and helps businesses to understand and use new mobile and wireless technology to drive revenue opportunities, reduce costs, improve customer experience and re-engage with their end users. His recent work has focused in helping people understand the changing world of commerce and how central mobile now is for merchants, brands, banks, transit authorities telco’s, ID/auth and technology providers. Projects have included scoping new value propositions, go to market activities and service introduction for mobile ID and authentication, including biometrics, e/m-commerce, mobile wallets, mobile payments (including mobilePOS), m-ticketing, physical and logical access.
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About The Human Chain: The Human Chain is a UK-based practice specialising in business and technical consultancy as well as thought leadership in mobile.
Richard Pennington
Managing Director and Co-Founder of FourNet
Richard Pennington is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of FourNet.
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About 4NET Information Technologies, FourNet: FourNet is a cloud and managed communications service company providing cloud, collaboration, and contact center solutions.
Simon Turner
Managing Director & Founding Partner of 4Sight Communications
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About 4Sight Communications: 4Sight Communications is one of the leading providers of business telecommunications and managed services for public sector organisations.
Robert Franks
Managing Director of WM5G
Robert Franks is the Managing Director at WM5G.
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About Kick Game, WM5G: WM5G is the programme to build the UK’s first Region-Wide 5G test bed. test, prove & scale 5G Infrastructure & Services.
Mark Hutchinson
Managing Director UK of Xantaro
Mark Hutchinson is responsible for Xantaro‘s UK business. He has been in the IT industry for 25 years and began his career in sales with EMC before moving on to senior sales roles and senior management roles in the software industry with Computer Associates, Groupe Bull and IBM, all of which focused on Enterprise Management solutions. Prior to joining Xantaro he was the Managing Director of Telindus Belgacom ICT and a member of the International Executive Committee for a period of 8 years. Mark‘s focus has always been on creating and developing growth through strong customer engagement models based on integrity and transparent relationships with shared insight to the customer needs. His extensive background has enabled a broad business knowledge combined with international experience and specific exposure of working in the telecommunications sector.
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About Xantaro: Xantaro is a vendor-independent service integrator focussing on carrier-class networks & services, cloud infrastructures and orchestration.
Sean Schwarz
Founder and Managing Director of RAFT Recruitment
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About RAFT Recruitment: RAFT Recruitment is a recruiting firm that places executives, software, machine learning, and robotics engineers.
Steven Athwal
Managing Director of Euro Communications Distribution Ltd
Steven Athwal is Managing Director @ Euro Communications Distribution Ltd.
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About Euro Communications Distribution Ltd: Euro Communications Distribution Ltd, a consumer electronics company, distributes mobile phones, accessories, computers, laptops, and more.
Tony Fish
Founder/Managing Director of AMF Ventures
I focus on how the future of corporate governance, decision making and judgement will be affected by complex data at the board. My focus leads me to imagine a board meeting in 2025, and the implications and unintended consequences. Tony thrives in complex, ground-breaking & uncertain environments; bringing proven judgement and decision-making skills with cross-sectorial experience. He has a track record of sense-making and foresight; his enthusiasm and drive are contagious & inspiring – definitely a maverick and unintentional rule breaker. He has founded, co-founded, sold and listed many businesses but remains passionate about new ways of creating value which has the capability of scaling fast, are at an early stage and creates value for many people.
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About AMF Ventures, Mashup Event: AMF Ventures was founded in 2002 by Tony Fish. AMF Ventures work on a variety of intellectually challenging assignments conducted in a
Alberto Lopez Maganto
Managing Director of Akira Partners
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About Akira Partners: Akira Partners offers financial advice, merger and acquisitions services to telecom, media and technology sectors.
Tony Martino
CEO\Managing Director of Tollring
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About Tollring: Tollring is a market leading software developer providing data visualisation and business intelligence tools.
Harry Bowlby
Managing Director of Spitfire Network Services
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About Spitfire Network Services: Spitfire Network Services is a UK-based, multi-award winning telecoms and ISP provider for businesses.
Ed Rogers
Founder & Managing Director of Bristol Braille Technology
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About Bristol Braille Technology: Bristol Braille Technology is building Canute, an affordable full-page Braille eBook reader.
John Moriarty
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of FSI
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About FSI: FSI provides workplace technology and services.
John Moriarty
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of FSI
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About FSI: FSI provides workplace technology and services.
Richard Gwilliam
Managing Director of easyNetworks
Richard Gwilliam is the founder and captain of Easy Networks. Whilst he claims not to be a techie, he can often be found experimenting with new technology. Richard is the creative genius for our customers with more challenging environments and requirements and can turn his hand to most technical challenges.
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About easyNetworks: Easy Networks is a premier provider of data networks and AV solutions for SME, large enterprise and Education.
Roger Gosine
Founder & Managing Director of RMG Professional
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About RMG Professional: Taking Digital technologies to market: strategy, partnering and go-to-market consulting andi
Andrew Roberts
Managing Director of Pennine
My Pennine journey started in 1978 repairing radios. In 2003 I led the management buyout team and I am now Managing Director of Pennine. The business employs over 75 staff having expanded from its roots in two-way radio to offer extensive expertise in traditional and internet telephony, unified communications, wireless and data networks, mobiles as well as Cloud and IT Services.
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About Pennine: Pennine is one of the UK’s independent business communication specialists.
Andy Jones
Managing Director of Jonesthefone Consulting
Andy Jones has over 25 years of experience in mobile telecommunications. As an engineering graduate in 1989 he joined a young company that his college friends had never heard of – that company’s name was Vodafone. During his 20 year tenure with the company Andy progressed to lead many technology innovation, network transformation and infrastructure procurement programmes. From 2005-2009 he served as Vodafone’s Head of Strategy and Architecture with a responsibility covering 20+ global Vodafone markets. Since 2009, Andy has built a thriving independent consulting business, providing strategic insight to 25+ clients with a stake in telecom innovation. Andy serves on the advisory board of several startups, including Saguna – a pioneer in Mobile edge Computing. Andy has seen MEC from more perspectives than most during its gestation period over the last 5 years – as an operator intrapeneur; as an advisor and as an independent consultant working with partners in the MEC ecosystem.
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About Jonesthefone Consulting: Jonesthefone Consulting specialises in providing consulting, advisory and business development services in the telecom sector.
Roger Keenan
Managing Director of City Lifeline
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About City Lifeline: Leading independent London Data Centre – Tier 3, carrier neutral colocation in Central London.
Nigel Clapham
Managing Director of NC Communications
Nigel has 20 years experience in event management starting with Maxwell Communications largest industry events in the construction markets before moving on to Telecommunications. Nigel has worked in the I.T. field for the last ten years. He has built strong relationships with our partners and clients including HP, Intel, Microsoft, IBM and Symantec.
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About NC Communications: NC Communications is a provider of content and events for the Microsoft SharePoint and Office 365 community.
