Christmas Spotlight: Louise Elliott

As we near the end of a landmark year, following the gradual return to ‘normality’ post-Covid, we grab 60 reflective seconds with Louise Elliott - chief customer and operations officer at BeFibre - in an exclusive for the published group of online newspapers…

1. After a difficult time for many businesses during the pandemic, what was your primary objective at the start of the year?

We began 2022 still in lockdown, and were all uncertain how business would run after such a long period of change. Luckily, we were confident in the support we had given to our team, whether that be remote working for our colleagues in the office, or the stringent and supportive safety measures for the teams out in the field. So, we still felt able to move forward with the launch of the ISP and to get our new customer base connected.

2. Looking back on 2022, what have been the 3 biggest highlights for BeFibre?

1. Launching as an internet service provider (ISP) in February
2. Our incredible brand transformation in the Summer
3. Connecting our very first customers.

3. And the most difficult challenge for your business?

I know this is common for a lot of companies at the moment, but recruitment of key roles has been a challenging task in the current employment market. Ensuring we bring on board the right team members at a time like this has certainly been difficult - but we have had some success in this and have built a strong and capable team, which I think has been due in part to just how much value we place on supporting, rewarding, and nurturing our team.

4. If you had to sum up 2022 in one word, which would you use?

Proud.

5. What’s BeFibre’s key goal for next year?

In one word - growth. To expand on that, we’re aiming to connect more customers to our network, and pass more homes - getting them ready for connection. Our mission statement internally is ‘passing homes, connecting customers, retaining customers.’

6. Name another Northern firm that you hope will have an outstanding year in 2023…

I certainly hope that our sister organisation Digital Infrastructure has an amazing year ahead. Not only will this create more jobs locally, but it will enable BeFibre’s network to grow - seeing us reaching even more homes across the north of England, particularly in the north west and Yorkshire. Taking us one step closer to bringing the UK out of the internet dark ages and bringing the country the speed it deserves.

7. How do you think the regional business climate will fare overall?

I believe we’re in for a challenging 12 months, given the increases in cost of living and economic changes as a whole. These will certainly provide challenges on both a personal and business level. This is why we have put measures in place as a business to support our teams, and to keep offering great quality products and value for money to our consumers.

8. It’s perhaps the first opportunity to celebrate a ‘real’ Christmas post-Covid – what will it look like for you?

Truly celebrating with family and friends. After a long time of not being able to unite and enjoy, it is going to be extra special this year to finally have a full family Christmas.

9. What’s the worst Christmas gift you’ve ever been given?

I once received a small box of tea bags and some violet creams! I don’t mind tea or violet creams, but it was a very strange thing to open - I suppose it was more surprising than ‘the worst’.

10 Describe Christmas at your house, in three words

Family, friends, and good-times.