HOLLY MACK

DIRECTOR OF TELECOMS

Holly is responsible for development and delivery of company strategy and programme delivery.

“My aim is to ensure that change management and project management principles are effectively implemented throughout the company as we continue to rapidly grow, ensuring we grow in the correct way for long-term success. I am an advocate of continuous improvement and feel this is key in delivering value for our customers and shareholders in the most efficient way. The business has so many great ideas and opportunities, it’s essential that I pull them all together in a concise, efficient programme.”

Holly studied Operations and Technology Management at The University of Manchester and joined Verastar as part of the Graduate Management Programme in 2009. After a year spent in each operational function, she spent the next year improving processes and systems which led to her starting the Project Management Team, which she now heads up.

She enjoys the variety her role offers and has been involved in a wide range of initiatives, from acquisitions to launching new brands to entering newly deregulated markets. She also enjoys the variety that family life offers, from Taylor Swift concerts to trips to Disneyland Paris.

STACEY CLARKE

CUSTOMER CARE DIRECTOR

Stacey is responsible for customer care and delivering outstanding experience for all customers within the Verastar Group.

“My aim is to ensure our customer-facing colleagues are equipped with the right tools and training to deliver outstanding service for every single customer. I’m a firm believer in placing the customer at the heart of everything you do, always thinking as a customer and putting yourself in their shoes.”

With 15 years’ experience leading customer service teams, Stacey has a fantastic track record of setting new service standards within global brands like Virgin and Experian. Stacey is passionate about understanding customers and what their needs are, in order to deliver simple, brilliant service. Her ethos is that delivering the basics well, and consistently, is the foundation of great customer service.

In her spare time Stacey spends time with her family enjoying days in the peak district cycling, walking and enjoying the fresh country air.

SPENCER CLARKSON

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

Spencer is responsible for delivering Verastar’s major technology projects and driving digital transformation across the group.

“My aim is to support transformational change within Verastar by implementing new technology systems and improving existing ones to meet the evolving needs of the business and its customers. Digital transformations are really business transformations, with technology as the enabler.”

In a career spanning 30 years in the IT sector, Spencer has managed transformative technology and business change projects for a range of organisations in the UK and across Europe, from large blue chip organisations to smaller, bespoke operators. Throughout his career, Spencer has consistently built and managed successful teams and transformed organisations by empowering individuals and promoting a positive ethos. When delivering technology projects, he is unwavering in his focus on customer experience and satisfaction.

In his spare time, Spencer enjoys life on two wheels and the feel of rubber on the road as he cycles competitively.

LEE HULL

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Lee is responsible for delivering Verastar’s overall vision and strategy, driving continued growth and ensuring that customer and colleague experience is placed at the heart of everything we do.

“My aim for Verastar is to continue the fantastic work of our dedicated colleagues which began back in 1998, developing and improving our products and services as we continue to grow. This is a hugely exciting company and it does things that no other service provider can do. I want to bring that unique offering to new audiences.

With 160,000 business customers on our books, we are well positioned to be a barometer for the needs of small businesses and my aim is to build on the fantastic relationships we have with our customers and become a true champion of the UK’s small businesses.”

Lee joined Verastar in 2020 and has an extensive background in telecoms and technology, having held senior positions with Virgin Media Business, Intercity Technology, UKFast and TalkTalk Business.

Passionate about improving customer experience and implementing digital technology, Lee has a track record of modernising processes, accelerating commerce and delivering significant financial growth. He has a BSc in Political Economy and sits on the Board of Trustees at The University of Salford.

A former semi-pro footballer, Lee originally hails from the North East of England, but now lives with his wife Melissa and their three beautiful children in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

DAVE HIBBERT

SALES DIRECTOR

Dave is responsible for all our regional offices.

‘My aim is to create highly motivated fun places to be in all of my offices, where staff have a great work ethic: There is little success where there is little laughter.’

Dave joined Verastar in 2000 as a sales person and was the driving force behind the openings of all of our regional offices.

Dave has 35 years of B2B and B2C sales experience. He prides himself on being an open-minded, not judging people on their academical achievements and loves people with big personalities that he can teach the art of sales.

Outside work, Dave likes to spend time at home with his beautiful wife who he met during his time at Verastar and his son Joseph. Joseph happens to be a keen fundraiser and has raised thousands of pounds for Manchester Children’s Hospital by climbing the county’s highest mountains.

GILLIAN HILL

GENERAL COUNSEL

Gillian is responsible for the Legal, Compliance and Customer Resolution teams at Verastar.

“My aim is to ensure that we meet our legal and regulatory obligations to customers, suppliers, employees and our regulators and that we treat customers fairly. Employees who feel they are treated fairly are more likely to treat customers the same way.”

Gillian joined Verastar in 2015 to set up our Legal and Compliance Teams. She started out her legal career in an international law firm, but realised she wanted to work in industry following a secondment to Granada TV. She has worked in many different sectors from telecoms to software escrow, information security and aerospace and spent time working at companies BAE, O2 and NCC Group.

At home, Gillian lives with her husband and two teenage boys. She enjoys long walks and spending time in sunny Mallorca!

NICOLA SMITH

CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER

Nicola is responsible for the commercial strategy for the business.

“My aim for Verastar is to maintain our position as a market-leading services provider by offering the widest range of services to the UK’s SME market all on one bill. Our business is making services simple for our customers, so they can focus on running theirs.”

Nicola joined Verastar in 2012 and has been integral in transforming Verastar into a multi-service provider through identifying and creating opportunities for new market entrants. She played a key part in the deregulation of England’s water market as part of the Defra Assurance group and the Water Code Panel.

Starting her career in 1995 in the then newly deregulated Energy market she’s developed business strategies and customer propositions to challenge incumbent providers in new markets. Her business focus has ranged from Energy, Telecoms and most recently Water in Scotland and England.

Away from the office she enjoys family life with her husband and two children and is happiest on the beach in Wales with a book in her hand.

RICHARD RUDKIN

CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Richard is responsible for all technology, company billing and management information.

“My aim is to constantly push boundaries and timescales using technology to drive Verastar’s competitive edge in the market. We’re unrelenting in our push to improve our systems for both internal users and provide customers a seamless experience. When combined with our clear vision and strategy it allows us to be extremely agile without compromising on strong future proof and sustainable solutions.”

Richard and his team work methodically and clinically, always to a plan, ensuring both business and technology change is approached with the right amount of governance and minimal red tape. With the rate of change in business and technology, Richard believes the key to current and future success is not to compromise on our incredibly strong technical, business foundations and values while ensuring our systems and processes have a high degree of inbuilt flexibility.

Richard started out at Samsung, and also spent time at Heinz and SSL international (owner of Durex and Scholl). He spent many of the previous 20 years on high value business and technology change around the globe with all the stamps to prove it. His whole career to date has been spent changing platforms to provide growth.