Meet the FluidOne Team
Led by CEO, Russell Horton, FluidOne’s Leadership Team is composed of some of the best talents in the industry. Together they combine their knowledge of the business, customers, products, the external experience of scale, acquisitions and organic sales growth to drive FluidOne towards its vision to become the best quality Connected Cloud Solutions provider to UK businesses.
Russell Horton
CEO
Since he joined in April 2018, Russell has applied his unique skills and 30 years of experience in Telecoms and IT to lead FluidOne into its next stage of growth and development. Russell has executive responsibility for the business and its management Board, strategy and future. With Russell at the helm, FluidOne has transformed into an innovative, award-winning Connected Cloud Solutions provider that boasts strong customer service, market-leading systems and platforms.
As CEO, Russell continues to drive the company towards his vision of becoming the best quality Connected Cloud Solutions provider to UK businesses. The first major step on this journey was leading a Management Buyout backed by Livingbridge in February 2019. With backing from Livingbridge, Russell has led a series of strategic acquisitions, bringing skills and services in Cyber Security, IT Cloud Transformation, IT Managed Services, Unified Communications and Contact Centre transforming the business over the past 4 years into a full provider of Connected Cloud Solutions.
Improving the customer experience has always been a priority for Russell, who continues to lead a range of customer-centric service improvements that result in FluidOne’s consistently high Net Promoter Score - 83 for August 2024. This world class level of service is delivered by our engaged and skilled team of staff, who rated us in the top 50 UK best companies to work for in 2023.
Chris Rogers
CIO
One of the founders of FluidOne, Chris has been instrumental to FluidOne’s dramatic expansion. Starting the company with his school friend Piers Daniel in 2006, Chris helped develop the business and direct the roll-out of its new cutting-edge network.
Chris led the design and build of Platform One, where our products and services sit, which holds the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation. Chris is responsible for the strategy and direction of our core network, R&D, software, products, supplier relationships, commercial contracts and IT systems. With strong relationships with many of FluidOne’s long-standing customers and partners, alongside in-depth knowledge and expertise of the connectivity market, Chris has become a key trusted advisor.
Chris lives on the outskirts of London with his wife and three children and often braves the 14-mile cycle into work. Living close to Twickenham stadium, he enjoys catching a good game of rugby whenever possible.
Simon Ward
CRO
Joining FluidOne in April 2023, Simon brings with him 23 years of experience within the industry. An experienced sales leader, Simon has extensive experience in building, shaping and leading sales teams to consistently deliver over and above targets in competitive markets, cross-selling into existing customers and bringing on board net new customers. Prior to joining the team Simon was Group Sales and Marketing Director at Maintel, and prior to that at Azzurri Communications.
A transformational leader, Simon has integrated and restructured sales teams post acquisition to ensure right sized, focussed functions, with clarity on expectations and enhanced processes. Simon is a firm believer in spending time understanding our customers challenges, and working hard to ensure the solutions proposed meet their challenges and business objectives.
Outside of work, a former ‘keen’ sportsman (now more of a spectator) with a particular interest in rugby, football and golf & still practicing the rapidly dwindling skill of mixing on vinyl.
Hemant Patel
Group Commercial Director
Hemant is a qualified accountant with many years of experience within the Telecoms industry. Working across several dynamic functions within finance, previous companies Hemant worked for include Cable & Wireless, Vodafone, Azzurri and Maintel, before he found his role at FluidOne.
Working alongside CFO, Roy Hastings, Hemant is an integral part of the finance team, applying his experience and expert knowledge to drive forward the vision for FluidOne and company goals. He has a track record for delivering transformational programmes across organisations to identify commercial improvement and deliver strong financial control.
Hemant is married with two children and is such an enthusiastic DIYer that he would have been a carpenter in another life.
Anu Tayal
M&A Director
Anu is a Chartered Accountant and joined FluidOne in October 2021, bringing with him over 20 years of transactions experience, across M&A, Public Markets and Transaction Services.
With previous Director roles in the Ernst & Young and Azets Corporate Finance Teams, Anu leads the origination and execution of FluidOne’s M&A strategy, identifying acquisition targets that fit with our company ethos and values. He has a track record of delivering transactions that support FluidOne’s inorganic and strategy ambitions.
Outside of work, Anu is a keen golfer (when the time allows), an accomplished DIYer and is a taxi driver to his young family.
James Storey
Service and Billing Director
James has worked with CEO Russell Horton at a number of companies over a period of more than twenty years. James joined FluidOne after being headhunted by Russell himself.
Bringing his wealth of experience to FluidOne, James is responsible for all aspects of Customer Service and Billing. His core role is to ensure that the customer experience is at the heart of FluidOne’s planning and decision making. James makes sure FluidOne’s service, customer delivery and provisioning remain of the highest quality and continue to lead the market. With a proven track record of improving NPS, James has been instrumental in integrating billing and operations for more than 15 acquisitions over as many years in high growth environments. His responsibilities have covered the full range of IT, Unified Communications, Connectivity and Mobile products.
James lives on the south coast with his partner and their dog and spends most of his spare time walking around the countryside with said dog and treasure hunting in local charity shops. He would love to spend more time than he does making music as well as other artistic projects.
Ash Morarji
Commercial Director - Mobile
Ash over 20 years with the Group has worked his way through the ranks to lead our Mobile & IoT Centre of Excellence. He has re-shaped the traditional offering in the cellular marketplace to deliver a Managed Mobility offering that has seen the business grow materially since the MBO in 2016.
Ash’s experience in Telco has seen him lead successful sales teams delivering Mobile, IoT, SD WAN and UC to Mid Market and Enterprise customers. He has used his experience of listening to customers over the years to innovate offerings to ensure customers get a true bespoke experience.
Ash lives in Surrey with his wife and two sons, so any spare time is generally taken up with being a personal Uber to the kids. In his spare time Ash will be found in the kitchen where as a former Masterchef contestant is still trying to perfect the invention test. Ash is guilty of testing wines as he cooks to find the perfect pairing.
Dan Fisher
Group IT & Network Director
Responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction for IT and networking across all FluidOne group companies. It involves overseeing internal IT operations, digital transformation efforts and internal group cybersecurity for FluidOne staff, as well as our MPLS and datacentre infrastructure.
Dan has a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Bath and joined FluidOne during a rapid growth phase in 2007, which allowed him to become an integral part of FluidOne’s success. He has been heavily involved in many parts of the business, including the roll-out and management of the existing core networks, as well as the design and implementation of several upgrades and enhancements.
Dan lives in London with his wife and daughter. Outside of work, he still finds time to play football and run the occasional ultramarathon!
Sheena Dholakia
Head of People
Sheena is a seasoned HR and training professional with an impressive 25-year track record in HR and people management. Sheena's leadership extends to leading various change management initiatives, from TUPEs and restructures to successful site setups. At FluidOne, Sheena takes the helm in championing engagement, reward, recognition, and staff well-being across the Group; a commitment that has earned FluidOne a coveted spot among the top best companies to work for in the country.
Sheena has also designed and delivered several leadership training programmes to ensure People Managers are equipped with the tools to manage high performing teams within a highly engaged and happy working environment. Having previously worked in operational and HR environments for both SME’s and large global organisations, at FluidOne, Sheena is responsible for the entire employee life cycle.
Sheena is also a qualified Reiki Master, enjoys cooking foods from across the globe and entertaining (especially Karaoke) in her spare time.