Altnets appoints Andy Ainsley as Commercial Director to drive UK growth
Altnets has appointed Andy Ainsley as Commercial Director as the company seeks to expand its influence in the data centre market.
Andy Ainsley, who joins the business with over 25 years' experience in the energy and telecoms sectors, is tasked with driving Altnets' commercial strategy and furthering its objectives as it positions itself for continued growth in the UK digital infrastructure sector leading into 2026.
Industry experience
Andy began his career with AFL, where he marketed fibre optic solutions for the telecoms and energy industries. After a period in law enforcement, which included 15 years and progression through leadership roles from Sergeant to Detective Inspector, he returned to the telecoms industry in a senior leadership capacity. His career since then has included responsibilities at Hexatronic, Neos Networks, and a return to AFL where he ultimately led as Sales Director.
Throughout these roles, Andy has overseen customer and sales operations across multiple regions, delivered growth in technical and complex markets, and become known for his people-focused approach to leadership. His background covers building high-achieving sales teams, nurturing key client relationships, and steering businesses into new and developing sectors.
Commercial focus
In his capacity as Commercial Director at Altnets, Andy will be responsible for evolving the company's approach toward streamlining network development and optimising delivery for UK digital infrastructure projects. He will also play a central role in expanding Altnets' presence in existing and emerging markets, while reinforcing industry links and identifying potential commercial partnerships.
Speaking on his new position, Andy Ainsley highlighted the values and culture at Altnets as being significant factors in his decision to join the company.
"Altnets is a company with real purpose and energy. The combination of its fast-paced culture, strong supplier relationships, and commitment to doing things differently immediately resonated with me. I'm passionate about helping teams succeed, empowering people to grow, collaborate, and achieve both individually and collectively. It's an incredible opportunity to continue scaling the business and building solutions that truly serve our customers across telecoms, data centres, and beyond."
Strategic plans
The company's move to strengthen leadership aligns with Altnets' ambitions for the coming years and its recent move into the UK data centre market. Describing the rationale for Andy's appointment, Managing Director Olly Shepherd said:
"At such an important stage for the business, we are thrilled to have Andy join the team. His diversity of skills, leadership style, and industry expertise are ideal for Altnets' future development. We have high ambitions for 2026, and Andy's appointment is crucial to laying the foundation for that forthcoming phase of expansion."
Andy's academic foundation includes a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Nottingham Trent University. His profile combines technical and operational knowledge with frontline experience in both public and private sector leadership roles.
Market presence
Altnets supplies a range of fibre and connectivity infrastructure products to Internet Service Providers, with a focus on facilitating broadband deployment to communities across the UK. The company is based in Brighton and places emphasis on supplier relationships, partnership working, and providing support to its client base.
The appointment of Andy Ainsley is positioned as part of Altnets' wider preparations for future expansion, especially in sectors such as telecoms and data centres, as it aims to meet evolving customer and industry needs.
