Former KCOM Boss Appointed CEO of Broadband ISP Quickline

UK ISP Quickline (part of Bigblu), which specialises in deploying FTTP and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband networks around Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, has appointed the former Managing Director of KCOM in Hull, Sean Royce, to help lead them forward as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The provider, which has recently secured a string of four multi-million pound state aid supported (Building Digital UK) rural broadband rollout contracts in the two counties, has a long-term aim to cover 170,000 homes over the next few years (it’s unclear how many of these will involve FTTP).

The company is thus looking to scale-up their business with ambitious growth plans and to provide even more ultrafast broadband services across the North of the UK and beyond, which makes the decision to appoint Sean Royce as their CEO seem quite sensible.

Sean spent over 18 years at KCOM in senior roles, including as a Managing Director of the company’s Hull & East Yorkshire business. As part of that he played a pivotal role in helping to complete their rollout of Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) technology and the associated move away from a legacy of copper lines.

Sean Royce said:

“I am delighted to be joining such an innovative and vibrant organisation that embraces the challenges of rural connectivity issues. The opportunity here is to change people’s lives for the better. To help them live, work, socialise and shop online when today they simply cannot. Imagine a life without the internet. The digital divide in these areas is getting wider and Quickline want to ensure that no one is left behind.”

Steve Jagger, Founder and CTO of Quickline, added:

“I look forward to working together with Sean as we build on the great progress Quickline has made in the last year. We are working hard with local authorities and to support the ambition of DCMS for gigabit capable connectivity, and with Sean’s knowledge and expertise it will strengthen our hybrid approach for much needed improved broadband to rural communities.”

Sean is due to take up his new role in May 2021, which helps to explain why the previous CEO, Steve Jagger, has moved down to the CTO position.