Behind F4RN is a team of people who have dedicated a huge amount of time and effort to get the project off the ground. We are local people who care deeply about the lack of quality broadband in our communities and are determined to do something about it. Between us there is a range of skills spanning everything from network design, engineering, IT, community engagement, marketing, management and business development. Below are short biographies of the main people who form the interim management committee tasked with getting the project off the blocks. There are many other people who offer very valuable specialist advice and contribute their time and effort and for whose input we are very grateful.
Dr Chris Horne
Chris is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
He is the Commercial Director at myenergi Ltd, company that has developed a number of products around renewable electricity generation, heating and electric vehicle charging.
It was Chris’s energy drawing up plans for routes and equipment, getting approvals from public bodies, as well as pushing along all the physical activities that were needed that has made the F4RN network so extensive and successful.
Steve Dickman
Steve is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
Steve moved into Fiskerton in 1988 and has been actively involved in village events for many years. Steve, and a business partner designed, set up and operated 4tons VCB (Village Community Broadband), a WiFi based broadband service for Fiskerton and Rolleston in 2003 when BT were unable to provide Bleasby Exchange with ADSL. His knowledge and expertise has been a mainstay in getting the F4RN community broadand up and running.
Lee Farrar
Lee is Head of Wilson Golf for UK & Ireland within Amer Sports PLC and for the past 20 years Lee has been working in the Golf industry.
Lee moved to Fiskerton in 2009 with his wife Sam and as technically minded person with a great eye for detail, he enthusiastically promoted fibre broadband as a community project.
Gez Major – F4RN Company Secretary
Gez worked in Secondary Education for over 30 years teaching Mathematics and running a department. The majority of his time was spent working in difficult schools where students were challenging but required guidance, support and encouragement.
Gez moved to Fiskerton in 2004, and is a strong believer in community projects and bringing together skills and knowledge of those that live locally. Gez is always on the move: digging channels for ducts, installing fibre, helping customers get to grips with the new technology.
Paul Cook – Chair
Paul has worked in the IT & Communications industry since 1996. He spent a number of years with Cisco Partners, before joining Cisco in 2005, specialising in Health IT and in 2016 he joining InterSystems.
Paul has been a home worker since 1997, so the woeful BT broadband speeds available before F4RN fired him to get involved bringing about change. It has been a source of great pride for him that the F4RN service is so amazing!
Dr Paul Newton
Paul gained degrees from Oxford in Natural Sciences then had a career of over 30 years with Boots Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in Nottingham.
Paul and Janet moved to Morton in 2011, and are enthusiastic about involvement in the community. Paul is keen on most areas of DIY, so the F4RN project was an ideal opportunity to get involved in something worthwhile for the community.
Mike Armstrong
Mike and his wife Barbara have lived in Fiskerton for around 25 years. Mike has very limited technical knowledge but he has learnt to dig and fill in trenches under the guidance of more experienced members. His grandchildren are eternally grateful for the superfast broadband facility afforded to them when they visit.
We’re always pleased to have new volunteers! if you would like to join the committee or want to help us build, operate and administer the broadband network then please get in touch.
We would love to welcome you to the team!
