CEO MONTHLY / JUNE 2026 9 Alan O’Prey: Leading with Clarity, Consistency, and Connection Since 1975, Circet UK has served as a trusted provider to the telecommunications, transport infrastructure, and power sectors. The company is on a mission to power communities across Ireland, the UK, and beyond, offering tailored solutions for various telecommunications and infrastructure requirements. This is a mission steered by Alan O’Prey, a seasoned telecommunications executive with over three decades of industry experience. We spoke with Alan to learn more, as he is named in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2026. Alan O’Prey stepped into the world of work at 16 years old, beginning as an engineering apprentice. He held this position until 19, when an unexpected opportunity in telecoms reshaped his professional pathway. On a newfound trajectory, Alan’s early career has spanned leadership roles at Kelly Communications, Lucent Technologies, Global Crossing, Onetrue, and Oracy Ltd. In 2011, Alan joined MJ Quinn and led the team as Managing Director from 2016 to 2021. Throughout this period, he played an instrumental role in expanding the company’s footprint within the UK’s telecoms landscape. From 2021 to 2022, Alan served as Managing Director of Netomnia, the UK’s fastestgrowing alternative network provider. Here, he accelerated FTTP rollouts across numerous locations and significantly improved the company’s operational efficiency. In 2022, Alan was appointed the role of CEO of Circet UK. As CEO, he is responsible for setting direction, driving performance, and creating an environment in which his team can succeed. He leverages his vast experience to balance long-term strategy with the realities of day-to-day delivery, ensuring that Circet UK grows sustainably whilst paying close attention to safety, quality, and client relationships. “My career hasn’t always followed a perfectly linear path, but that’s been one of my biggest advantages,” he told us. “I’ve worked across different roles and environments, which has given me a broad perspective on how businesses actually operate, not just in theory but on the ground. What’s shaped me most is exposure to real world challenges, building teams, navigating change, and learning to adapt when things don’t go to plan. Like most people, I’ve learned as much from things that didn’t work as from things that did.” As with any leadership role, Alan has encountered his share of challenges along the way, from market pressures and operational complexity to making tough decisions at pace. The CEO has refused to be deterred, however, instead turning obstacles into opportunities by maintaining consistency, being clear on priorities, remaining focused on outcomes, and surrounding himself with a strong team he can trust. These actions, Alan told us, are critical to success in such a dynamic landscape. “Success in roles like this isn’t about having all the answers,” he shared. “It is about creating the right environment for the business to succeed. That comes down to people, clarity, and consistency. If you get those right, everything else tends to follow.” Certainly, there have been significant opportunities presented throughout Alan’s time in business, particularly in the areas of growth and diversification. Since joining the company, the CEO has overseen rapid company expansion, secured major contracts, and spearheaded diversification into green energy sectors such as solar power. Expanding into new sectors has been a focal point for the team, allowing Circet UK to reduce reliance on its traditional industries and build a more balanced portfolio. These opportunities have further shaped Alan’s role at Circet UK, demanding the CEO to be increasingly strategic when assessing the market’s direction, where the team can add value, and how Circet UK can position itself for the long-term. Ultimately, Alan’s long-term vision for the future is to build a business that is resilient, scalable, and positioned to lead across multiple infrastructure sectors. Over the next 12 months and beyond, the focus will be grounded in sustainable growth, diversification, and operational excellence. This will include expansion in power, utilities, and renewables; strengthening key client relationships; driving efficiency and performance across the business; and maintaining a strong focus on safety and delivery. With Alan O’Prey at its helm, named the UK’s Most Influential CEO 2026 in Telecom Solutions, we at CEO Monthly have no doubt that Circet UK will continue to lead the field. As for Alan’s own career trajectory, the CEO shared: “For me, it’s about continuing to grow, both personally and professionally. That includes developing as a leader, staying close to the business, and ensuring that I’m contributing to its long-term success. I’m a big believer in learning, whether that’s through experience, through others, or through formal development. You never really ‘arrive’ in these roles; you keep evolving.” Contact: Alan O’Prey Company: Circet UK Web Address: www.circet.ie
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==