Candidate Statement
Phill Magill – TalkTalk
I’ve been working in the internet industry for more than 20 years – and I love it as much now as I did on Day 1! I wonder how many people can say that about their role and the industry they work in? Probably not many, but it’s true!
For the last 19 years I’ve had the pleasure of working at TalkTalk. I started as a Network Engineer and have worked my way through the organisation, taking on a number of different roles but always staying true to what I love – Network Engineering. I’m proud to say I’m now TalkTalk’s Chief Network Engineer, leading a team of 20 people and sitting alongside seven other directors on the Tech & Security Leadership Team.
My current role sees me heading up the Network and Infrastructure Architecture area of the business, focusing on the crucial task of driving our network technology roadmap forward.
Why do I love it so much?
Well, our industry moves at lightning speed, doesn’t it? The technology we used 20 years ago is light-years away from what we use now… and light-years away from what we’ll use in the future! It’s exciting! I’ve seen things change right before my eyes.
When I joined Opal Telecom (before TalkTalk bought out the business), we were a small ISP focusing on dialup internet connectivity. The ability for us to peer with some of the larger networks was key to us in managing our costs effectively. We grew our network rapidly – and continue to do so. TalkTalk is an Open Peering organisation and I firmly believe this is a brilliant thing for the industry.
During my time, I’ve been able to lead on some really crucial, challenging and rewarding projects across the networks business unit, which has kept things interesting! Particular highlights for me include rolling out our LLU network to 3,000 exchanges across the UK and leading the architectural team in designing our BNG platform nationwide. Not an easy task but a worthwhile one!
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Why do I want to take on this role?
So many reasons! Firstly, I’ve been involved in LINX since my first day at Opal and have been fascinated by the journey it has come on and how its strategy is still relevant today.
As the UK is entering an unprecedented step change in connectivity with the move to FTTP, LINX in the coming years needs to do what it does best, what it did for the industry back when it was founded. Be impartial, be for the member, connect people to their content and deliver value for its members. A simple mantra for the good of the internet. And I want to go on the journey with you.
What will you get from me?
As well as my experience and tenure in the industry, I’ve got a number of personal attributes that I think would make this a mutually beneficial appointment.
My biggest strength is the ability to take problems and come up with solutions, delivered by being data-driven but decisive. I am also a keen team player, inclusive and have a very optimistic outlook – I’m always the one with a ‘can-do’ attitude and an uplifting comment or anecdote when things get tricky.
Lastly, I’ve been able to develop my career along the way and have reaped the personal benefits from that – I’d now love the opportunity to give something back to the industry I love. This would be my first board level appointment and I see it as a fantastic opportunity to grow, being able to leverage my existing networks that I’ve been able to build over more than two decades in this industry.
Thanks for considering my application.
