JUDGES

Simon Burkhardt is representing Comms Council UK. He is an experienced C level executive in the UK and international telecoms and technology sector. His most recent experience is in the UK fibre (FTTP) and cloud communications sectors.

Simon presently holds non exec board roles with bOnline, Magrathea, and The Communications Council UK, whilst also conducting advisory work across the telco sector.

During his career, he has held leadership positions including stints as CEO at Kelly Communications, managing director at both Vonage (now part of Ericsson) and Connexin, the FTTP provider in Hull. Prior to those roles, he worked globally in a number of regions in C level positions for operators such as Telefonica O2, BT, MTS and Ooredoo.

Lucy Green, the Managing Director of Larato is a B2B Business Development Specialist with a steadfast commitment to enhancing the success of UK technology resellers. With over two decades of experience in crafting and executing revenue growth strategies for technology, communications, and media sectors, Lucy is valued for her strategic acumen and passion for delivering tangible value to buyers.

As a judge for the prestigious Comms Business Awards 2026, Lucy brings a wealth of expertise to the panel, contributing to the recognition of industry excellence. Her leadership at Larato underscores a collaborative approach, partnering with C-suite executives and sales leaders across the UK to tailor bespoke, evidence-based go-to-market plans. These initiatives not only engage more customers but also drive revenue growth and secure competitive advantages for her clients.

Lucy also champions the "Making a Difference” initiative in the West Midlands that is fostering relationships between local resellers and small businesses. This pioneering effort exemplifies her dedication to enhancing community engagement and economic prosperity.

Lucy is a geek who is passionate about innovation, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the dynamic landscape of B2B technology development. Her vision and strategic skills continue to encourage and transform the industry, sharing knowledge and intelligence to facilitate growth and customer-centric success.

Itret Latif was appointed CEO of the Federation of Communications Services (FCS) at the beginning 2019. He has held several leading non-executive positions in telecoms and energy and has provided evidence to House of Commons and House of Lords select committees in these areas. Notably, he was the first to identify broadband as a utility and also called for regulatory change and restructuring of BT.

Itret has an energy utility background. As a former senior executive of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), he established and headed the company’s retail telecoms and gas businesses. He joined the FCS board in 2009 and was appointed deputy chairman before stepping into his CEO role.

Dave McGinn is a senior business leader with over 20 years’ experience leading and scaling technology and telecoms organisations in the UK. He previously served as CEO of Daisy Communications, where he oversaw significant growth and transformation across the business, culminating in the transaction with Virgin Media O2 to create one of the UK’s largest B2B telecoms and IT platforms.

During his time at Daisy, Dave focused heavily on improving customer experience, building strong leadership teams, and creating a high-performance culture. Under his leadership, the company improved customer satisfaction, reduced employee attrition, and was recognised by Best Companies.

Dave now works with boards and leadership teams supporting organisations navigating growth, transformation, and strategic change.

Outside of business, he is an enthusiastic open-water swimmer and supporter of charitable challenges while raising funds for important causes.

Adam Zoldan has over 25 years’ experience in the telecoms and technology sector. He is founder and director of Knight Corporate Finance, a specialist boutique which helps entrepreneurs realise their ambitions through advising on strategy, funding, acquisitions and exits.

Founded in 2008, Knight has successfully delivered over 120 transactions across the ICT sector. Adam was formerly a managing director of V Networks which was acquired by Opal Telecom and prior to this he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance as lead advisor for telecommunication transactions.