scte member focus
Member FOCUS Ben Allwright CEO, Allwright Advisory
What got you interested in a career in broadband/ telecoms and how did you get started? I’ve always enjoyed breaking, making and fixing things — from building model aeroplanes as a child to repairing bikes and restoring cars. Growing up through the 80s and 90s, I was captivated by the seismic technological shifts of the era: colour TVs, early PCs, the first mobile phones. I was glued to Tomorrow’s World and early sci fi, fascinated by what technology could unlock. Studying electronics felt like the natural next step, and engineering roles followed. With a bit of luck, my recruiter cousin introduced me to my first proper job at Carlton Cabletime in Newbury — an innovative young business at the vanguard of TV distribution technology, the early days of what we now know as cable TV. You’ve had a varied career across engineering and sales. How would you best describe what you do, and what do you enjoy most? Engineering was the perfect foundation. It allowed me to follow my curiosity and build a deep understanding of a complex, fast moving industry. From there I moved into project management and then line management, increasingly drawn to new challenges and broader responsibility. I discovered I loved building teams and soon stepped into senior leadership roles. Working in high growth, international environments accelerated my development, and I expanded into strategy, sales, commercial, HR and finance. When I recognised gaps in my knowledge, I completed an MBA at Henley to round out my skill set. Ultimately, I realised I enjoy all aspects of business. My curiosity, commercial drive and collaborative leadership style have allowed me to explore many fascinating avenues. Over time, I found my vocation in designing, growing and leading companies — and that naturally led me to the CEO role.
Ben Allwright has been a longtime member of the SCTE and is a well known industry figurehead. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Ogi, Wales’s home-grown internet company, which he founded to deliver next-generation full fibre services to underserved homes and businesses. Under his leadership, Ogi secured cornerstone investment from Infracapital and Cardiff Capital Region and became a leading regional provider.
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MARCH 2026 Volume 48 No.1
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