Neil McArthur (businessman)

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Neil McArthur
Born1956or1957(age 67–68) [1]
Irlam, Lancashire, England
Alma mater University of Essex
OccupationBusinessman
Known forFounder of Opal Telecom
TitleHead of group innovation, TalkTalk Group
SpouseAnne McArthur

Neil McArthur (born 1956/1957) is a British businessman, the founder of Opal Telecom, former MD of TalkTalk Technology, and now head of group innovation for TalkTalk. [2]

Contents

Early life

McArthur was born and grew up in Carr Road, Irlam, the son of a steel worker at the former Irlam Steel Works, and a librarian. [3]

McArthur earned a degree in engineering from the University of Essex. [2] He is a fellow of the Institutes of Engineering and Technology and a fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. [2]

Career

McArthur began his career as an engineering apprentice at British Nuclear Fuels in 1972, later earning a BSc in Computer and Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Essex. In 1981, McArthur co-founded Thurnall PLC, an engineering business focused on control systems for various industries. As the nuclear industry declined in the mid-1990s, he pivoted the company's focus. [4]

McArthur's most significant impact came in the telecom sector.[ citation needed ] He founded Opal Telecom in the 1980s and was its CEO.[ citation needed ] In 2002, he led Opal's merger with Carphone Warehouse to create TalkTalk, where he ran the technology division for eight years[ citation needed ].

In 2018, McArthur became CEO of FibreNation, a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) startup backed by TalkTalk. Under his leadership, FibreNation was acquired by CityFibre in March 2020 for £200 million.[ citation needed ]

Honours and appointments

In 1992, he was awarded an MBE for his services to engineering. [2] He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex. [5]

McArthur is a member of the advisory board of the University of Essex Business School, chairman and a trustee of the Hamilton Davies Trust charity and chairman of the Manchester Tech Trust. [2] [6] [7] He is also a member of the University of Manchester's board of governors. [8] [9] In 2024, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. [10]

References

  1. ↑ Pidd, Helen (4 July 2018). "How philanthropy breathed new life into a forgotten Salford suburb - Helen Pidd". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Taylor talks to Neil McArthur - Downtown in Business" . Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "TalkTalk founder to help local Rugby League club". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Carphone boss in tribute to NW team". Manchester Evening News.
  5. ↑ "Dr Neil McArthur - Board of Governors - The University of Manchester" . Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "About us | Manchester Tech Trust". www.manchestertechtrust.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Our Trustees - Hamilton Davies Trust". Hamilton Davies Trust. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  8. ↑ "Dr Neil McArthur | Board of Governors | The University of Manchester". The University of Manchester. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  9. ↑ Pidd, Helen. "How philanthropy breathed new life into a forgotten Salford suburb". The Guardian.
  10. ↑ "Neil McArthur MBE FREng". Royal Academy of Engineering. Retrieved 21 February 2025.
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