Metronet (UK) (“the Group”), the UK’s fastest growing connectivity and internet infrastructure provider, backed by mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge, today announces the appointment of Mike Darcey as Chairman.
Mike has a track record of guiding a variety of businesses, including market leaders and disruptive challengers, through periods of rapid change and growth. He was CEO at News UK from 2013 to 2015 and, prior to this, spent 15 years at BSkyB as both Head of Strategy and COO respectively.
As part of the Sky senior team he was responsible for all of Sky’s B2B lines of business and was involved in the acquisition of Easynet in 2005 which led to the subsequent launch of the broadband business. Mike has also held a number of high profile non-executive Director roles at PA Group and Home Retail Group.
The Group is also rebranding as M247 following hot on the heels of the recent acquisition of leading high growth fibre network provider Venus in March of this year. This cements the Group’s nationwide commitment to deliver a world class network throughout the UK, Europe and Internationally.
Mike Darcey, Chairman at M247, said, “I am very excited to be joining M247 at what is an important period in its development. In the UK, M247 has a proprietary wireless network and access to local loop unbundled fibre, particularly in London. This is a unique and differentiated proposition in a crowded market, which is supported by a full suite of business-critical solutions. Globally, M247 has an incredibly powerful IXP network across 16 cities which is only just beginning to be exploited. With so much opportunity, I am looking forward to working with the team to shape the strategy and see what we can achieve together.”
Commenting on the rebranding, Lee Perkins, Chief Executive at M247, said: “Mike joins the team at an integral point where we bring so much hard work to life, especially our brand. At M247, we believe that that well-connected businesses are more productive and our new brand reflects our ability to support our customers around the clock, enabling them to get more done, 24-seven.”
