LISKEARD-based broadband provider Wildanet has announced an expansion of its senior team as it accelerates a £50m gigabit rollout to rural communities.

Founded in 2017 to deliver ultrafast broadband to communities across Cornwall, Wildanet secured a £50m investment from the Gresham House British Strategic Investment Infrastructure Fund in December last year.

Now the company has announced a series of board-level and executive appointments.

Eddie Minshull, who has over 30 years of leadership in the telecoms and technology industries, has joined the Wildanet Board as Chair. Eddie has held senior roles across Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East with MLL Telecom, Juniper Networks and Alcatel, and has extensive experience of hybrid fibre and wireless telecoms networks.

Helen Wylde joins the Wildanet Board as a non-executive director. Helen’s experience includes senior sales and marketing roles with Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile. She specialises in helping businesses to deliver growth and innovation, and her current role is Managing Director of East Coast Trains.

Justin Clark has joined Wildanet as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager from JT Global (Jersey Telecom), where he was head of global operations across the company’s London and Chicago offices.

Also coming from Jersey Telecom is Stafford Hunt, who will shortly join Wildanet as Chief Marketing Officer.

Chief executive Ian Calvert, who started Wildanet four years ago, takes on the new role of Founder and Deputy Chair. Ian’s day-to-day operational duties will be taken on by Justin Clark, pending the start of a new CEO in March next year who has already been appointed but not yet named. Wildanet will also shortly appoint a Chief Sales Officer.

Chair, Eddie Minshull, said: “Wildanet is a thriving socially conscious broadband and fibre provider based in Cornwall and providing coverage across the county. I am proud that we continue to grow and expand, creating jobs and providing connectivity for Cornwall.”

Ian Calvert said: “Wildanet is and remains a key vision and passion for me personally, especially in the battle for greater digital inclusion for all, as I assume the role of Founder and Deputy Chair. I will continue to focus on Wildanet’s wider relationships, new business concepts, digital inclusion within Cornwall and our strategic approach to the marketplace.”