Seminar Speakers | FIA - The Fibreoptic Industry Association

Our speakers are leaders and innovators, bringing diverse expertise and unique perspectives to each session.

They come from varied backgrounds within our industry, with deep insights that will inspire, challenge, and empower you.

Whether sharing groundbreaking research, professional wisdom, or personal journeys, each speaker is here to offer valuable takeaways to help you grow and succeed.

Explore their profiles to learn more about their experience and what they’ll bring to our event.

List of Speakers

Our speakers include experts, innovators, and leaders from various fields who will share valuable insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The confirmed speakers are:

Jason Pedder, Lynddahl Telecomms

Chris Conder, B4rn

Tom Rigg, B4rn

Nigel Hedges, Fluke Networks

Manuel Hernandez, OFS Optics UK

Kerrianne Harrington, University of Bath

Chris Dyke, Allied Telesis

Chris Atkin, Totalcomms Training

Michael Akinla, Panduit

Jason Pedder

Lynddahl Telecom, is currently employed as Sales Director for LYNDDAHL Telecom, a provider of microduct solutions.

“Considerations when selecting micro-duct systems and avoiding installation issues"

“The duct and micro-duct infrastructure is vital for any company, shaping network construction, management, and maintenance. This session delves into selecting micro duct systems, analysing their applications and requirements. We'll explore factors crucial for successful micro duct installation and subsequent cable installation, emphasizing adaptability for future needs”

Chris Conder

B4RN was born out of desperation. Many people came together and made it happen. Tom Rigg, our CEO will explain the technical details and how it is now, but my story is from the early days. The amazing volunteers who JFDI (just flippin did it) and the genius that is Barry Forde.

Their story must never be forgotten.

B4RN

Tom Rigg

B4RN "Broadband for the Rural North Ltd" is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) delivering gigabit full-fibre broadband to the hardest to reach. Operating as a Community Benefit Society, B4RN prioritises social impact over financial gain. B4RN's mission is to deliver the best internet service in the country to the areas that are hardest to reach, working shoulder to shoulder with, and for, rural communities, to realise the enduring benefits of greater resilience and connectivity."

B4RN

Nigel Hedges

Nigel Hedges of Fluke Networks,

Reading and Understanding Test Reports: A Guide to Profit Preservation.

Synopsis: Test reports confirm not only that the specified performance for a fibre link has been achieved, they also provide insight into correct procedure and evidence of good practice. The presence of appropriate supporting data can assist in ensuring that ‘as-left’ state is or was in workable condition. Call-back activity can become an opportunity rather than a burden.

Manuel Naya Hernandez

Manuel Hernandez is Product Line Manager at Lightera, formerly OFS, for Networking Systems in EMEA. He has over twenty years of experience in the optical fibre industry in product management, strategic marketing and business development roles. Manuel holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Madrid (UPM).

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.

www.lightera.com

Kerrianne Harrington

Kerrianne is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Bath as part of the interdisplinary project 'u-Care.' works on developing hollow optical fibres and systems for UV-C light (200-220 nm). u-Care will exploit cutting-edge techniques in laser physics to develop new sources of deep UV light which are compact and robust.

"We will develop ways to precisely deliver this light for new therapies that target some of the biggest challenges facing medicine: cellular-precision cancer surgery, and the emergence of drug-resistant “super-bugs”. If you are interested in UV fibres for wavelengths not possible in solid-optical fibres, then please contact me.

I am particularly excited by research that allows me to develops novel optical systems and optical fibres for applications. I am interested in controlling light with optical fibres, and in designing and making novel fibres and fibre devices for practical applications. I have an extensive background in optical fibre fabrication, splicing, interconnection, packaging of optical fibres for robust handling, and simulation of optical fibres."

Chris Dyke

Chris Dyke of Allied Telesis

Allied Telesis' solutions-based philosophy of producing products that deliver value to our customers, together with high-quality service and support, has resulted in a very extensive worldwide customer base.

A technology partner that has both the vision and capability to take your network communications to the next level. We’re here for you, wherever in the world you may be. Trust Allied Telesis. Network smarter.

Chris will be presenting a talk on "Building Ultra Secure Highly Reliable Fibre Networks" and looking at the importance of hardware selection and securing the network.

Chris Atkin

Chris Atkin, Totalcomms Training and FIA Chair

Building Skills for Tomorrow: Advocating for Technical and Professional Education

The rationale is that we need to be constantly adapting to the challenges of technological advancements: As fibre technology evolves rapidly, the people working in the industry will have new demands placed on them: I will be advocating that we must meet this challenge head on: our industry almost demands these new skills.

Technical and professional training ensures that the workforce is equipped with the latest knowledge and abilities to stay relevant. AI only heightens these challenges and we ignore them at our peril.

We have come a long way but….. we need to be focused on closing the skills and knowledge gaps: We are not alone: many industries face a shortage of skilled workers.

The FIA can be the lightning rod: to effect a real attitudinal change: by promoting technical and professional education, we can bridge this gap and meet the needs of industry ….not just for today ….but into the future.

Michael Akinla

Talk Title:

“Structured cabling architecture guidelines for AI deployments”

Talk Synopsis:

Pod style AI deployments bring new requirements for architectural needs when looking at the densities of fiber connections needed to support switch to server applications. During this session we will have a discussion on the structured cabling approach to support this fibre deployments and the impact on latency this has.