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.

As a external/outside plant planning engineer and planning manager in thirty years with British Telecom and in the last ten years as Managing Director and Senior Consultant with his own company, Lythgoes, Peter has gained industry leading experience in the design and construction of both civil and cable communications infrastructures for all applications from structured cabling to national network routes. On a number of occasions his ability and determination saw him improve the way BT operated locally, regionally and nationally. At Lythgoes he helped develop ntl national network specification and more recently wrote Vodafone’s fibre infrastructure specification. His knowledge of infrastructure is supported by his desire to remain as close to the operational end of the industry as possible and as our technology goes leaping forward he still relishes being on the learning curve, albeit sometimes he feels he’s on the underside, clinging on!
Not only familiar with technical infrastructure aspects Peter is experienced in the wayleave and access issues of construction and installation work as well as the Health & Safety requirements under CDM Regulations. He’s keen to see the development of standards and actively encourages their employment in the field and to this extent believes that the way forward is in the education of the end user and that relevant standards should be referred to in end user specifications.

As a external/outside plant planning engineer and planning manager in thirty years with British Telecom and in the last ten years as Managing Director and Senior Consultant with his own company, Lythgoes, Peter has gained industry leading experience in the design and construction of both civil and cable communications infrastructures for all applications from structured cabling to national network routes.

On a number of occasions his ability and determination saw him improve the way BT operated locally, regionally and nationally. At Lythgoes he helped develop ntl national network specification and more recently wrote Vodafone’s fibre infrastructure specification. His knowledge of infrastructure is supported by his desire to remain as close to the operational end of the industry as possible and as our technology goes leaping forward he still relishes being on the learning curve, albeit sometimes he feels he’s on the underside, clinging on!

Not only familiar with technical infrastructure aspects Peter is experienced in the wayleave and access issues of construction and installation work as well as the Health & Safety requirements under CDM Regulations. He’s keen to see the development of standards and actively encourages their employment in the field and to this extent believes that the way forward is in the education of the end user and that relevant standards should be referred to in end user specifications.

Lee Funnell, Technical Manager for the Siemon Company, is highly committed to the education and training of consultants, installation engineers and all those involved with all aspects of structured cabling for both copper and fibre systems alike

Lee became involved in the data and telecommunications education after leaving the Royal Marines and has worked extensively with KRONE (UK) Technique Limited and leading communications integrator Astro Communications. Lee has also worked extensively in the training and development field with companies such as Canon Voice & Data, Avaya, Lucent Technologies and Crane Telecommunications.

Lee firmly believes in quality education and development, is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel Development (CIPD). Lee has written many various education programs, which have resulted in both vocational and academic qualifications for both the copper and fibre sides of the voice and data communications industry.

David began his career in the fibre optic industry in 1992. Since then, he has been involved with the marketing and sales of fibre optic test equipment. David has had the pleasure of dealing with engineers from all sectors of the industry.

Since 2000 David has been the Sales and Marketing Manager for DMOptics, a UK test equipment distributor

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.