South West broadband provider Jurassic Fibre has appointed a former director of energy giant Shell and Virgin Media as its new chief executive.
The Exeter-based internet service company said Paul Hellings would lead it through its next stage of growth, replacing Michael Maltby who founded the firm in 2018. Mr Maltby will move to a non-executive director role on the company’s board.
Mr Hellings previously served as managing director of Virgin WiFi and regional director of Virgin Media, and most recently as chief executive of Shell Energy UK.
Jurassic Fibre said he would use his 30 years’ experience of scaling telecommunications businesses to bring “a world-class digital experience” to businesses and consumers throughout the South West.
Chairman Paul Latham thanked Mr Maltby for his contribution in the role, and added Mr Hellings would provide “invaluable” leadership as the firm seeks to connect more 500,000 underserved homes in the region.
Mr Hellings added: “The opportunity and ambition ahead of Jurassic are truly compelling – to develop the UK’s digital experience, to enrich people’s lives and to enable businesses to prosper.
“I am therefore delighted to join the Jurassic Fibre team who share my values, my passion for our customers, and my commitment to service excellence.”
Jurassic Fibre has been backed by a £250m investment from Fern Trading – advised by Octopus Investments – to build a full fibre network across Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall.
During a visit of former Chancellor and current Conservative Party leadership candidate Rishi Suank to the company’s base in Honiton in June, Mr Maltby said the firm had provided ultrafast fibre broadband for 100,000 underserved households and businesses in 21 towns and created 350 jobs.
