Rob Reaks, CCO, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and former Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell
Full Fibre Rocks!
Digital Britain: the broadband revolution. We chat with Rob Reaks, CCO of Lightning Fibre. Tell us a little about
Cover Story
you?
I have 30 years of experience
in sales and marketing, beginning
‘fondly’ referred to as chugging). After successfully running an SME for a decade, I undertook an Executive MBA at Bayes Business School (formerly
Cass Business School), graduating with
as Regional Marketing Manager
distinction in 2012. Balancing an MBA
Portsmouth, Hastings, and Southend,
feat, but I’m proud to say I managed it.
Officer for an award-winning full fibre
I joined Lightning Fibre during its start-
provider. Between these roles, I spent
been secured and with only a handful
(10 years as CEO), helping UK and
has grown into a thriving, community-
vital income through tele-fundraising,
thousands of happy customers and
fundraising — a practice that first
testament to the dedication and talent of
for Sea Life attractions in Brighton,
and progressing to Chief Commercial
network operator and internet service
with a full-time C-suite role was no small
up phase, shortly after funding had
14 years as a professional fundraiser
of customers. Since then, the business
international charities and NGOs secure
focused company serving tens of
legacy campaigns, and direct dialogue
earning multiple industry awards — a
emerged in the UK around 1995 (often
32 www.sussexbusinessgroup.co.uk
an exceptional team.
What has been your biggest business challenge to date?
The 2008 global financial crash hit
fundraising hard (it hit everything and everyone hard!) and the uncertainty
made the operational side of things quite tough. More recently, of course, COVID presented a unique set of challenges that we had to navigate; recruiting
staff became tough, the availability of
plastic was a problem (we use quite a
lot of plastic ducting), costs increased significantly and people got sick. What has been your greatest or
proudest business achievement to date? I am always very proud when our
peers recognise us with awards. It’s a