With a career steeped in experience across the telecommunications industry, both in the UK and Australia, our new Chief Information Officer (CIO) Chris Davies, who has joined our C-Suite senior leadership team, brings a unique perspective to the field of rural network providers to support our strategic direction and business growth.
In the latest edition to our Spotlight series, we spoke with Chris to explore why he’s honing in on the rural side of broadband, his passion for all things digital, and how his far-flung experience has brought a fresh approach to connecting homes and businesses across the East of England.
Tell us about your previous experiences and why you joined County Broadband.
I have joined County Broadband with over ten years’ experience in telecommunications. My first job was supporting the Nation Broadband Network (NBN) with the delivery of fibre broadband throughout Australia. I learnt quickly how important it is to use technology to enable the business to be successful while delivering high-quality broadband to the most remote places.
To be working with a company again that has a purpose to deliver only the highest quality fibre to rural villages is brilliant.
Switching from a national provider to a specialist provider has given me the ability to bring enterprise-class solutions for customers out of reach of the big companies, I am consistently driving to use our agility to give a better customer experience, while making sure our products are what our customers need.
Did you always want to work in IT, and did you take any detours on your career path?
As a kid, I wanted to be a pilot, but through high school and university, I discovered that I had a real passion for IT and problem-solving. I wouldn’t choose another career in the world. I love IT & technology and enabling businesses with the latest and best technology in the market.
What business or technology initiatives do you believe are currently the most important in FTTP?
Communication, organisation, and seamless integration of tooling. If we work hard at those priorities then I have no doubt that we will be one of the best providers of FTTP (fibre-to-the-premises) in the East of England.
Describe your role and explain its importance in delivering FTTP in rural communities.
I see my role as a business enabler. I translate business challenges into technology opportunities. This allows the business to provide an unmatched level of customer service and allows our engineers to provide world-class service and products to our customers.
What are your top priorities for your first year at County Broadband?
I plan to continue the great work already being delivered by the team. I want to help us be successful, which will come from clear objectives on the most important priorities that will drive us forward and ensure that everyone is achieving the set goals. I am truly passionate to play my part in making County Broadband a leading ISP (Internet Service Provider) in the East of England.
What is the best career advice you ever received?
Wow, big question! I would have to say the first boss that I admired was a man named Rick Hyslop, who I worked with in Australia. He had an attitude of less talking, more action, and, if you want it to happen, push yourself & make it happen because it’s only ever on you and nobody else.
I also really like the mantra: leave your comfort zone and the magic will happen.
One of our key business themes is based on being a digital partner. How do you expect to implement that as CIO?
Digital is a key service of any organisation. That’s not because it’s a fancy buzzword or the ‘hip’ term of the moment, and not because you get to play with the latest technology, but because it massively improves all aspects of the business, from quicker customer resolutions with fewer unexpected interruptions to self-service that truly works for the customer.
Becoming more digital-focused allows us to create a true omnichannel experience so that customers and staff can communicate with any method they choose. Digital is also in real-time, allowing the business to monitor exactly what is going on and make informed decisions that will make us the world’s best ISP!
For more information about County Broadband’s full-fibre rollout, and to check availability in your area, enter your postcode in our postcode checker.
