APFN Announce Mark Walker as New CEO

Key Takeaways

• Mark Walker becomes APFN CEO on June 1, 2026.
• Walker previously led TalkTalk B2B wholesale and PXC.
• Aquila platform aggregates Openreach, BT Wholesale, CityFibre, plus legacy fibres.
• 80% of APFN’s network now over‑built, risking market share.
• Unified legacy‑footprint to launch on Aquila soon.

Pulse Analysis

AllPoints Fibre operates the Aquila marketplace, a single‑API hub that stitches together multiple UK fibre and Ethernet networks for wholesale customers. By pulling together Openreach, BT Wholesale, CityFibre and its own legacy assets—Swish Fibre, Jurassic Fibre and the Giganet footprint—Aquila promises partners a "fibre‑first, legacy‑free" buying experience. However, the platform’s current limitation is that APFN’s proprietary networks cannot yet be ordered, leaving a sizable portion of its infrastructure underutilised while competitors expand capacity.

The appointment of Mark Walker signals a strategic pivot for APFN. Walker’s track record includes scaling TalkTalk’s B2B wholesale business and driving commercial growth at PXC, roles that required deep knowledge of carrier‑grade networking and partner ecosystems. His recent stint at Fern Trading, where he oversaw commercial strategy for APFN and Vorboss, suggests familiarity with the company’s challenges and opportunities. Stakeholders expect Walker to fast‑track the integration of APFN’s own fibre assets into Aquila, leveraging his commercial acumen to attract new wholesale partners and boost revenue streams.

APFN faces a critical headwind: 80% of its network is now over‑built, up from 70% a year ago, eroding potential market share. The forthcoming unified footprint for its legacy networks aims to provide clear visibility of serviceable premises, a prerequisite for partner adoption. If Walker can align platform enhancements with a timely rollout of the unified footprint, APFN could convert dormant capacity into profitable wholesale contracts, strengthening its position against entrenched incumbents and emerging dark‑fiber providers.