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SCTE Rising Star of The Year Kesani York
Data Engineer, Virgin Media O2
myself at 20/20 Levels, following in his footsteps.
genuinely proud of. My path here wasn’t conventional.
Looking ahead, I want to keep deepening my technical skills while opening doors for others coming into this industry from non-traditional backgrounds. I’m also ambitious about where this takes me. Hopefully progressing into a senior data engineering role, and beyond that into leadership in the future and bringing the data-driven decision making that first pulled me into this industry to bigger decisions and bigger teams. Coming from policing rather than a traditional tech route, I want to prove that path can lead not just into the industry, but up through it. This award feels less like an endpoint and more like a reason to keep going. And that’s exactly who it’ll be!
I spent years as a Metropolitan Police Officer before making the leap into tech, drawn in by how much data-driven decisions/insights could shape better decisions. I joined Virgin Media O2 as a Data Engineer Apprentice on the CTO Insights and Analytics team, and I’m now in the final year of a Level 6 apprenticeship in Digital and Technology Solutions. A lot of what led to this recognition has come from being willing to show up honestly and to keep learning. Technically, but also in how I work and connect with people. Mentorship has also been a huge part of that. My own mentor, CJ Johnson, has shaped how I think about growth and confidence, and I now mentor others
Winning the SCTE Rising Star of the Year 2026 still doesn’t feel quite real. I was nominated by Matt Short, and to know that someone saw my work and thought it was worth putting forward, standing in the House of Commons to collect the award, is truly something I’m
The Richard Harris SCTE Member of the Year 2026 Nusret Kuka HFSCTE Team Manager - Network Operations and Critical Infrastructure & Energy Systems, IPKO
support and collaboration of colleagues, mentors, and teams I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career. Their knowledge, trust, and professionalism have consistently pushed me to grow and maintain high standards in everything I do. Looking ahead, I remain committed to contributing to the engineering community, supporting knowledge sharing, and encouraging continued professional development. As our industry becomes increasingly critical to everyday life, organisations like the SCTE play an essential role in strengthening technical capability and connecting professionals across the sector. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and look forward to continuing my involvement with the SCTE and contributing to the ongoing development of the broadband industry.
Over the course of my career, I have been committed to delivering resilient and high-quality network infrastructure, while continuously improving my technical knowledge in a field that never stands still. Working in areas such as network operations and engineering support has reinforced for me how critical reliable systems are, and how much value comes from disciplined engineering, teamwork, and shared learning. My involvement with the SCTE has been an important part of that journey. It has provided a platform to connect with skilled professionals across the industry, exchange practical experience, and stay engaged with evolving technologies and best practices. Just as importantly, it has reinforced the value of community in engineering, where progress is often built on shared insight rather than individual effort.
“It is a great privilege to receive the Richard Harris SCTE Member of the Year Award 2026. I am sincerely honoured to be recognised by the SCTE, an organisation that has long championed technical excellence, professional development, and collaboration within the telecommunications and broadband industry.
This award represents far more than a personal achievement. It reflects the
Volume 48 No.23 SEPTEMBER 2026
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