Paul Bateson qualified as a materials scientist in 1978 from Brunel University. He joined STC Components in Harlow in 1980 before moving in 1982 to their opto-electronics divisions, initially in Leeds and then finally in Paignton, were he was actively involved in quality assurance of fibre optics and related opto-electronic products. Whilst at STC he contributed to international discussion and determination of measurement standards by participating in the UK working group of the International Electro-technical Committee standards body.

His current company, Optical Test and Calibration Limited, was founded in 1989 by 'quality' minded personnel to promote effective measurement controls in the fibre optic and associated industries, and was one of the first companies in the UK to gain accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for fibre optic test equipment calibration. Paul joined OTC in 1990 as Sales Manager and is now CEO & Technical Director. Recognising the need for quality and standardisation in the fibre optic industry OTC joined the FIA in 1992 and Paul was elected to the FIA Council in 1997 as Director responsible for the Test Equipment Industry Sector before being appointed Chairman of the FIA in December 2005.

John started his fibre optic career in 1987 as a fibre optic termination/fusion splicing engineer and worked on many prestigious projects throughout the UK. During his career he has been a senior projects manager and technical manager for a leading fibre optic installation company.

John is now the managing director of Twistnet Communications Limited who are a specialist fire optic company covering all aspects of the Data and Voice communications

John is a firm believer that industry standards should always be adhered to and a commitment to give the end user the best possible end product is paramount.

John has worked in fibre optics for many years, initially working for a specialist fibre optic equipment manufacturer as an engineer in the measurement standards department. His role included representing his company in standards meetings, developing calibration techniques for equipment, verifying the performance of equipment and trouble-shooting fibre measurement problems. After a move to international technical support, training and helping customers with fibre measurement problems, John accepted a job as a fibre optics trainer with responsibility for developing advanced fibre optics courses, in particular, measurement courses. Early in 1999 John started Lucid Optical Services Ltd. with two co-directors, aiming to offer the clearest and highest quality fibre optics training. Lucid has now grown from the initial three people to eight people, relying mainly on word-of-mouth for gaining new business. John's role at Lucid is as Technical Director.

Ken served an apprenticeship as an electrical/instrument technician in the petrochemical industry working his way up to a project manager with a portfolio of blue-chip clients. With a change of company came a change of career supporting a senior project manager developing a data division for a north-west contracting company, retraining in fibre optic and data communications.

Leaving to begin EDS systems (North Wales) ltd in 2002, building the company into a specialist fibre optic, information and communication technology supplier to varying building service providers and communication companies.

Coming from an industry where quality and performance is paramount working to BS and ISO standards Ken is a firm believer that the fibre optic and ITC industry should be recognised for the quality of service and the skill set of its engineers. By raising the profile of the FIA Approved Installer Scheme and getting it promoted within other building service industries it will raise awareness to the standards that should be attained, giving quality of service and risk management to both the end user and the supplier.

Simon Comben holds a number of years service with the UK MoD (Army) having gained technical qualifications while serving in the armed forces. He left in 1988 to join Thorn EMI Electronics and was involved in a number of prestigious defence and telecoms fibre optic related projects in Surface, Subsurface, Ground and Air applications.

Simon more recently worked with Furukawa Electric Europe Limited, a leading manufacturer of fibre optics equipment, as Divisional Manager involved in major telecoms projects across Europe.

In 2008 Simon established TCM Communications (UK) Limited before joining J. Brand Limited in November 2010.

Simon continues to hold strong links to the UK M.o.D and it is intended to be in this area that he will focus to promote the benefits of the FIA. and its members capabilities to the MoD.

After qualifying as a Mechanical Engineer, Jonathan started working in the structured cabling industry in 1994 – initially at Mod-Tap as an automation engineer for connector assembly machinery. A subsequent career change found him moving into Product Management for passive optical fibre systems and went on subsequently to include balanced copper systems.

Jonathan is also qualified as a Fibre Optic installer to C&G 3466, attained the BICSI RCDD qualification in 2007 and is a member of BSI TCT/7 panels - also since 2007. Jonathan is a keen advocate of the specification and application of industry standards by manufacturers, installers, consultants and end-users alike.

Jonathan works for Huber & Suhner (AG) within the Datacenter Business Unit as Market Manager for Structured Cabling Systems.