Hello, I’m Ashleigh Jordan, a Business Development and Innovation Manager at Vodafone. I focus on helping public-sector organisations across the UK adopt and implement 5G and advanced wireless technologies. My role is all about supporting public-sector organisations as they explore new connectivity solutions and turn innovation into real-world impact.
I’ve been leading Vodafone’s involvement in the DSIT-funded 5G Innovation Regions programme. We’re proud to be supporting four of the ten regions — Ayrshire, Glasgow, the River Severn, and Oxfordshire — as well as several of the challenge funds. It’s been exciting to see real-world use cases come to life, and we’ve played a variety of roles across these projects to help make that innovation possible.
Vodafone will continue as the strategic technology partner for Ayrshire, providing consultancy, ongoing support, expertise, and connectivity. In Glasgow, we helped enable the rollout of smart-home capabilities, and in Oxfordshire, we’re deploying a 5G private network for tenants across the Harwell Science Park. As part of the River Severn project, we used mobile data to trial flood-monitoring technology — a UK first, supported by the Met Office.
Now, we’re focused on building on this success and exploring the next stage: how do we drive long-term adoption and ensure these technologies remain sustainable?
Technology can feel overwhelming, but at Vodafone, we’re committed to building confidence and capability across the UK and strengthening partnerships along the way. I’m also passionate about encouraging more women and young people, especially school leavers and college graduates, to explore careers in this sector. Telecoms isn’t just about sales or service delivery, it's also about AI, data, innovation, and so much more.
I left school at 16 and started my career as an apprentice telecoms engineer, and I’ve now been in the industry for 22 years. I want others to see that there are many pathways into tech, and that you don’t need a traditional route to build a successful career here.
What do you enjoy most about working in this space?
The room for development and personal growth. Given the advancements in technology and the pace of change, the opportunities are endless. I encourage everyone to explore a career in technology.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done in the name of work?
When I first joined the industry, I didn’t really know what being an engineer meant. On my very first day, I was handed a hard hat, steel-toe boots, and a harness — and then told to climb a telephone pole. Halfway up, I realised I was surrounded by spiders… and I am terrified of spiders.
It definitely wasn’t what I pictured when I thought about a career in telecoms, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Starting on the tools gave me a real foundation for understanding what it means to literally build the nation’s network — and it’s shaped my entire journey in the industry ever since.
Where do you see telecoms heading?
Telecoms has become a utility — it’s no longer a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Connectivity underpins every digital transformation, across every sector and every type of organisation. It’s critical national infrastructure, and continued investment and understanding are key if we want to keep pace with future needs.
We don’t know exactly what technologies will shape tomorrow — but whatever they are, they’ll rely on robust, reliable connectivity. Telecoms will remain the foundation that makes innovation possible.
What would you like people to know about your work?
People often assume I just sell mobile phones, but Vodafone does so much more. We carry around 20 percent of the world’s data traffic through our fibre infrastructure, and we’re investing £11 billion in cutting-edge network technology, including 5G Standalone.
We’re also a company that genuinely gives back. Vodafone has a strong charitable focus and a culture that really supports personal growth and development, something I value hugely.
Why is a vibrant, flourishing telecoms ecosystem important for the UK?
Connectivity is a basic necessity; no one should be left behind. A strong telecoms ecosystem is essential to making that a reality, and it requires collaboration across mobile network operators, technology partners, and the public sector.
Right now, too many people still struggle to access reliable connectivity, and that has real consequences, from booking a doctor’s appointment to completing online applications. By working together and investing in digital inclusion, we can close the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to the opportunities connectivity unlocks.
