Broadband Altnet LightSpeed Networks Covers 360,000 UK Premises and Appoints New MD

Alternative network provider LightSpeed Networks, which is the business and wholesale side of retail UK ISP LightSpeed Broadband and has already deployed their full fibre (FTTP) network to cover 360,000 premises passed across the East of England and Midlands (36 towns), has today announced the appointment of Matthew Partridge as their new Managing Director (MD).

Partridge is said to be bringing over 30 years of experience across the telecoms and connectivity sector, including senior roles at Colt Technology Services. The announcement also comes shortly after Brett Shepherd, the CEO of LightSpeed – the group behind LightSpeed Broadband and LightSpeed Networks – “stepped down“ (here); he was replaced by Liam Hickey.

Otherwise, the new MD will be expected to lead the commercial and operational development of the business, overseeing the translation of LightSpeed Networks’ infrastructure, service assurance and operational capability into commercially deliverable propositions for mid-market and enterprise organisations, ISPs, channel partners and wholesale buyers.

LightSpeed Networks currently delivers Ethernet, dedicated internet access and wholesale connectivity underpinned by SLA-backed service assurance and direct operational ownership across their full fibre network footprint.

Liam Hickey, CEO of LightSpeed Group, said:

“The businesses and partners we work with need a connectivity provider that takes genuine ownership of the outcome, not just the contract. What we are building at LightSpeed Networks is the infrastructure, the operational model and the commercial leadership to deliver exactly that. Matthew and Ashley further strengthen our commercial leadership, enabling us to take that proposition to market with even greater depth and clarity. That is what our customers and partners deserve.”

The appointment also follows that of Ashley Griffiths as Senior Sales Director, who joined LightSpeed Networks earlier in 2026 to lead its direct enterprise and partner routes to market.