Manx Telecom has appointed Andy Owen as Chief Technology Officer. Andy joined the business on 2 November and leads technology strategy and operations across Manx Telecom’s mobile and fibre networks, infrastructure and engineering.

Andy joins from Digicel Group, where he was Regional CTO across several Caribbean markets, responsible for mobile, fibre, IT and digital managed services, from network strategy through to delivery. His work at Digicel included major network transformation programmes, moving customers from copper to fibre, expanding fibre broadband coverage and delivering 5G network rollouts. Andy began his career as a communications engineer in the Royal Corps of Signals, followed by senior network and technology roles at Cable & Wireless, Plusnet and TalkTalk.

Andy will lead Manx Telecom’s continued investment in its mobile and fibre networks. Mobile sites are being upgraded across the island, and planning applications for new sites are progressing. Covering the island’s hills, glens and coastline takes more than one technology. Manx Telecom brings mobile, fibre and Wi-Fi together to keep customers connected, at home and on the move.

Gary Lamb, Group Chief Executive Officer, Manx Telecom Group, said:

“I’m really pleased to welcome Andy to Manx Telecom. Having a CTO based here on the Island, who understands what island communities need from their network, is good news for our customers. Andy has led fibre and mobile network programmes for island markets across the Caribbean, and he’ll put that experience to work for everyone who lives and works here.”

Iarla Hughes, Group Chief Financial Officer, Manx Telecom Group, said:

“We continue to invest in the Isle of Man, in our network and in the service, we give customers. Appointing someone with Andy’s experience is part of that. As the Island’s leading communications provider we take that responsibility seriously, and it goes beyond the network, through our support for the Parish Walk and the Marg McGee community awards.”

Andy Owen, Chief Technology Officer, Manx Telecom, said:

“I’ve joined a team of local people who care about their customers, and the new Home Wi-Fi Team, helping customers get the best from their connection at home, is a good example. Connectivity on the island isn’t only about the masts. It’s about the fibre into people’s homes, the Wi-Fi inside them, and the people who make it all work. My first priorities are completing our fibre network and strengthening our mobile network, so the island has resilient connectivity that’s built and looked after right here.

My wife and I, along with our three dogs, are really looking forward to making the Isle of Man our home. What attracted me was not just the opportunity to help shape the island’s connectivity future, but also the strong sense of community and pride in the island, something I really relate to having spent the last 11 years living and working across the Caribbean islands, where that same sense of community and island identity is so important.”