Broadband business plans to almost double workforce as part of growth plans

Hale-based full fibre broadband provider, 4th Utility, has unveiled expansion plans which include the aim to almost double its workforce over the coming months.

The firm, which was founded five years ago, currently employs 56 staff, but envisages hitting a 100-strong headcount, linked to its bid to service another 250,000 homes over the next five years.

CEO, Tony Hughes, said: “We are quickly growing and have big ambitions for the future. These things obviously take time and depend on many factors, but we have the building blocks in place for a strong future.”

The 4th Utility team works with residential and commercial landlords to deliver ultrafast full fibre to homes and businesses via its own fibre optic network.

Earlier this year the company launched a new social tariff, providing fast, low-priced internet for areas most in need of digital connectivity – for 50% cheaper than the UK average.

Over the past five years, key achievements for the business have included acquiring London-based Vision Fibre Media, receiving a £25m investment from DIF Capital Partners, opening a new state-of-the-art office in Hale, and rolling out its service passing 40,000 homes.

Tony said: “It’s been quite a journey and on our fifth anniversary, it’s important to take time to consider just how far we’ve come.

“From the acquisition to gaining investment, to opening our new state-of-the-art office, to all of the things we do to help communities across the UK, what we’ve achieved is testament to the hard work of our incredible workforce.”