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Alternative broadband operator All Points Fibre Networks (APFN), which is owned by Fern Fibre (Fern Trading), has today announced that their long-running internal consolidation – bringing together their own-built FTTP networks and retail ISPs into a single group (Giganet, Jurassic Fibre, Swish Fibre, the original AllPoints Fibre, and Cuckoo) – has now completed.
The complex process was first announced all the way back in February 2023 (here) and has resulted in two primary operations – APFN for the wholesale (network) business and Cuckoo as the retail ISP, which both operate as self-standing companies, albeit owned by Fern Fibre.
The completion of this process has also prompted some leadership changes today. Ronan Kelly, previously APFN CTO, has now been appointed APFN Managing Director. Nisreen El-Kaloush, previously Commercial Director, has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer to lead on developing long-term commercial frameworks.
Finally, as “leadership of the business at group level is no longer required” with the consolidation and relaunch complete, Jarlath Finnegan, Group CEO, and Graham McGregor, Group CFO, are said to be departing. Meanwhile Ronan, along with Sarah Howells, MD of Cuckoo, will report to Fern Fibre’s new Executive Chair, Adam Dunlop, who joined the Fern Fibre Trading Limited Board in May 2025. Adam was recently serving as CEO of TalkTalk, but he has also held leadership positions at iD Mobile, Dixons Carphone and Cable & Wireless.
Ronan Kelly said:
“It’s an honour to take APFN into its next phase of trading now that the consolidation plan is complete. Since we launched aquila, we have had a fast start and we have huge interest from potential partners, and I am excited to connect more of them to the platform in the months ahead.”
I want to express my warm thanks to Jarlath and Graham, who successfully transformed the five companies into the two we have now. They leave those companies in great shape as we continue to shake up the connectivity market.”
Adam Dunlop said:
“I am coming into my role as Executive Chair at a very exciting time. I am already working with Ronan and Sarah so we can ensure that APFN and Cuckoo accelerate the great progress already made.
My sincere thanks to Jarlath and Graham. It is down to their hard work and dedication that both APFN and Cuckoo have got to where they are today. To build and successfully launch aquila in such a short time is a remarkable achievement whilst also bringing all our retail operations onto one platform with no legacy systems. On behalf of everyone at both companies, I want to send them our warm wishes for the future.”
However, it’s probably not unfair to say that the consolidation did cause some problems and confusion for customers of Giganet, Jurassic Fibre, Swish Fibre, although APFN will be hoping that it can now finally put those days behind it and move on into the future. But we have also seen plenty of people complaining that they still can’t order packages on APFN’s own network, often only getting choices for Openreach or Cityfibre instead (i.e. the consolidation doesn’t seem 100% complete to us, until they fully integrate the retail side).
Despite this, the network operator has yet to announce any firm expansion plans for their own Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband network, although the completion of their internal consolidation might also open the gates to an external consolidation by another operator (Cityfibre has recently been in the frame, despite APFN saying its “not for sale“). But in the meantime, their focus seems to be on the wholesale side.
Finally, it’s not mentioned in the announcement, but APFN do also own retail broadband ISP Brillband (here).