“My career in public affairs began after a two-and-a-half-year stint in Parliament,” says Charlie Hall. Working “at the coalface of policymaking” gave him a grounding in how decisions are made, but also prompted a shift. “I wanted to move into a space where I could advocate for businesses that make a meaningful contribution to society.” That journey has taken him from hospitality into telecoms — with “connectivity as the common thread.” That focus now places him in one of the UK’s most strategically important infrastructure sectors. CityFibre is the UK’s largest independent full-fibre platform, building and operating digital infrastructure to support broadband connectivity across towns and cities nationwide. Its network underpins everything from residential internet access to business services and public sector connectivity. In a sector shaped by long-term investment, planning policy and regulatory frameworks, public affairs plays a central role in enabling rollout and unlocking capita...