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Championing Diversity, Innovation, and Excellence at the ITP Awards

At Cornerstone, our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is fundamental to who we are. We believe that fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered is essential to driving innovation and excellence. This ethos was proudly showcased at the Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) Annual Dinner and Awards, where we not only sponsored the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award but also celebrated the outstanding achievements of three of our colleagues.

Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a Stronger Industry

Our sponsorship of the DEI Award reflects our dedication to building a more inclusive and diverse telecoms industry. Spearheaded by our Chief People Officer, Ginette Kilroy, who proudly took to the stage to present the award, this sponsorship reinforces Cornerstone’s belief that diversity drives innovation. By embracing the unique perspectives and experiences of individuals from all backgrounds, we are creating a dynamic and forward-thinking environment where everyone can contribute to the success of the industry.

At Cornerstone, we have embedded inclusive practices at the heart of our strategy, ensuring that our workforce represents the diverse communities we serve. Through initiatives led by our DEI working group and by actively engaging with employees, we continuously improve our practices, promoting inclusivity at all levels of the organisation. We are proud to champion an industry where every voice matters.

Celebrating the Achievements of Cornerstone’s Leaders

The ITP Awards night was a celebration of industry leaders driving change, and Cornerstone was honoured to see three of our own recognised for their contributions:

Helen Main – Telecoms Surveyor of the Year Award

Helen Main, our Head of Delivery, won the ‘Highly Commended’ award ‘Telecoms Surveyor of the Year’. Her exceptional work in overseeing the successful delivery of key telecoms projects across the UK has set new benchmarks for the industry. Helen’s passion for ensuring that infrastructure projects are not only efficient but also sustainably managed has made her an invaluable leader at Cornerstone. This award highlights her commitment to excellence and her ability to meet the evolving demands of the industry with innovation and care.

Andy Train – Special Recognition for Bridging the Skills Gap

Andy Train, Cornerstone’s Chief Network Officer, was honoured with a ‘Special Recognition’ for his work on Bridging the Skills Gap. As Chair of the apprenticeship trailblazer group, Andy led the creation of the Cellular Network Field Engineer (CNFE) apprenticeship scheme, which aims to equip both new entrants and experienced professionals with the necessary skills to excel in a fast-evolving industry. His dedication to standardising training and developing the next generation of telecoms professionals has ensured the sustainability of the sector. This special recognition by industry peers is a reflection of his far-reaching impact on shaping the future of telecommunications.

Belinda Fawcett – Woman in Technology Award

Belinda Fawcett, Cornerstone’s General Counsel and Director of Property and Estates, was a finalist for the ‘Woman in Technology’ Award. With over 20 years of experience in telecommunications, Belinda has been a driving force behind key initiatives that support the growth and sustainability of the sector. As Chair of the Mobile Infrastructure Forum, she has championed greater diversity and inclusion in the industry while leading strategic efforts to expand digital connectivity across the UK. This nomination is a testament to Belinda’s leadership, dedication, and her unwavering commitment to empowering women in technology.

Looking Ahead: Building a Diverse and Sustainable Future

As the UK’s leading digital infrastructure provider, we understand the importance of fostering a diverse workforce that is prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow. The recognition of Helen, Andy and Belinda at the ITP Awards serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible work being done within Cornerstone and across the industry to create a more inclusive and sustainable future.

By supporting initiatives like the CNFE apprenticeship scheme, promoting diversity at all levels, and ensuring that our infrastructure projects reflect the needs of a connected society, Cornerstone is committed to driving positive change. We believe that when we embrace diversity and empower individuals, we not only build stronger teams but also a stronger industry — one that is ready to face the challenges of the future with innovation, resilience, and inclusivity.

Women in Leadership

Bridging the Gender Divide: Cornerstone celebrates its Women in Leadership

Just as we’re dedicated to bridging the urban-rural divide for digital connectivity, we are equally committed to bridging the gender gap across the industry. At Cornerstone we believe in creating opportunities and shining a light on the incredible female leaders who are making a significant impact in the telecoms and infrastructure sectors.

Join us as we showcase the stories and remarkable achievements of our female leaders in our featured article on Women in Leadership. From breaking barriers to driving innovation, these women embody the future of our company and the STEM industry.

Belinda Fawcett – General Counsel and Property Director, January 2015 – Present

A property lawyer by background, Belinda has had a non-conventional route to her current role as ‘General Counsel and Director of Property and Estates’. Her first foray into telecoms was working for Three, where she was heavily involved in developing the structure for the joint venture between the then T-Mobile and Three to form MBNL and was subsequently seconded into MBNL to set up the legal team and develop the strategy for consolidating the 2 networks. She joined Cornerstone in 2015 helping to drive the business through the years of Beacon and transformation to an independent digital infrastructure business as well as taking on the role of Company Secretary and for a brief period as interim CEO. She’s worked continuously throughout her life, moving to three days a week for six years whilst having her children, noting that “you make compromises as you go through your career”. Having recalled meetings where she was the only woman in attendance, gender equality is something she prioritises, with her team at Cornerstone comprising 47% women.

Liz Gardner – Senior Marketing Manager, April 2018 – Present

It’s fair to say that Liz did not set out to be a marketeer, rather marketing found her. In fact, the early part of her career was as a Management Accountant in the NHS. A change in direction then saw Liz move into telecommunications, where roles in IT and Product Management led to her first marketing position. From there Liz held management roles across Consumer, Enterprise, and Partner markets.  After taking a year out following redundancy, Liz joined Cornerstone in 2018 as Senior Communications Manager. Leading a brand relaunch, defining the communications strategy, and navigating the communication demands of COVID, Liz has returned to her marketing roots, joining the newly formed marketing team and facing a new set of challenges. All her experiences, planned and unplanned, have influenced her career journey. She is looking forward to the future both for her and Cornerstone, reflecting “…it’s good to have an open mind, to want to keep learning and be ok with stepping into the unknown. You never know where it might lead!”

Ginette Kilroy – Chief People Officer, October 2016 – Present

Having initially begun her role as ‘People Business Partner’ at Cornerstone, Ginette has since progressed to ‘Head of the People Team’ and now to ‘Chief People Officer’. Being promoted to the Senior Leadership Team, as a woman in her 30’s, is a huge achievement. She notes that in Human Resources “the learning never stops if you want to stay up to date”; her career reflects this, being filled with self-improvement and constant education. Ginette completed a CIPD qualification whilst working in recruitment for the NHS, gained a Master’s in HR and became qualified as a coach. Ginette’s four keys to success are 1. Create your opportunity 2. Be brave 3. Be true to yourself 4. Live in the now, your future will come.

Lindsey Roberts – Head of HSQE (Health and Safety, Quality and Environment), September 2022 – Present

Lindsey rejoined Cornerstone in 2022 as Head of Health Safety Quality and Environment. She began her career in telecoms as a Build Project Coordinator before being asked by her employer if she would take on a project and implement ISO 9001. She initially pursued a career and qualifications in Environmental Management and then implemented ISO 14001 but on the journey, Health and Safety was where she felt that she could make a difference. She worked as a consultant for 5 years in the Construction and Manufacturing Industries but says “Health and Safety in Telecoms is like no other, it’s fast-paced and dynamic, we carry out high-risk activities in quick turnaround in extremely isolated rural areas to densely populated environments which can be challenging when safety is your priority.”

Miranda van Gestel – Chief Customer Officer, September 2023 – Present

Miranda, the newly appointed Chief Customer Officer at Cornerstone, brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for both customers and technology. Having grown up in the Netherlands, US, and UK, she understands the significance of embracing diversity and the strength of different cultures collaborating. Her career began at Virgin, where she was part of the pioneering team that established the first MVNO, Virgin Mobile, in the UK and overseas. Her journey in telecoms continued with roles at Orange and BT Global Services, where she led 4,000 strong teams in Customer Operations and served as VP of Service Operations. After having twin girls, her career took her to the Middle East where she joined Aetna International, a division of CVS Health, as Global Head of Marketing, Brand & Communications. Miranda reflects ‘people discouraged me saying a woman in senior business in the Middle East would be challenging but I had the opposite experience. I think women have an ability to communicate through attentive listening, and we like to nurture collective success rather than individual achievements, so both serve as a great bridge for women to be successful in business’.

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