Meet The Team

Steve Horne - Managing Director

Having spent 20 years as an RAF pilot flying military aircraft with the RAF, including a final 6 years with the Executive and VIP Flight at Northolt where I flew high ranking members of the government and members of the Royal Family, and where I met and married Sally, we moved to Cornwall in 1982. I knew the West Country very well having spent many holidays with relations near Falmouth when I was young, and when I left the RAF in 1984, I joined a local firm of Chartered Accountants with offices in Redruth and Penzance. I took on the role of Office Administration Manager for 4 years before entering the world of telecommunications with a local company early in 1989. I can’t say that I really enjoyed working in an office environment after a life of adventure flying all over the world, but at least it gave me an ideal opportunity to see how other peoples’ businesses worked.

It didn’t take me long to realise that there was a stimulating challenge available to us by forming our own company, and so Bush Telegraph was launched in 1990 working from offices close to our home near Truro. The very first telephone system I sold as Bush Telegraph was to an electrical supplies company based in Stratford upon Avon and I installed and commissioned the system myself! From those early beginnings, Sally and I have built the company into one of the leading telecoms and IT suppliers in the southwest.

I joined the Rotary Club of Truro in 1994, having been introduced by the MD of a local intruder alarm company who I’d met up with during installations for mutual clients, and was honoured to be elected as President of the club in 2003. I enjoy the opportunity that Rotary gives me to serve our local community, and also to support the International projects which Rotary has throughout the world. And we’ve also made really strong friendships as a result.

Our Morgan sports car gives us an opportunity to meet friends with similar cars and to enjoy the delightful countryside of Cornwall and Devon, but we also regularly take the car to France where the less congested roads make it a real delight to drive. I’ve organised several trips to France for the local Morgan Club over the years. And we have definitely proved that you can carry two people, luggage and 80 bottles of wine in a Morgan at the same time! No problem!!

I never forget that it’s the Bush Telegraph team of people that make us so successful. Our sales team, engineers and admin support are all hand picked, and there’s no doubt that they all pull together to help achieve the success of the company. I’m sure that it’s our core strategy of an ethical approach to business and delivery of the right solution for the customer that have enabled us to grow and as we approach our 20th year of trading, I have every intention of retaining this winning formula, and taking the company forward into further growth in the future.

Lee Russell - Technical Director

I have been in the Telecommunications Industry since I left secondary education in 1987. Between leaving school and working at Bush Telegraph I worked for 2 other local Telecom companies as well as being self employed for a brief period before being offered a job by Steven and Sally and I feel this gave me a good foundation, understanding and appreciation of how a small business runs.

I have been with Bush Telegraph since 1991 and we have always prided ourselves on high levels of manufacturers training and I am certified on Samsung, Panasonic and Avaya systems. I was delighted to be offered my Technical Directors title in 2004.

Over the years we have installed a wide range of systems all over the UK which include The Cliveden Hotel, Berkshire and Umeco PLC, Warwickshire.

The Best thing about my job is that I get to work at a different place most days and meet lots of different people.

I have been married to Michelle for 14 years and have 3 great children which obviously keeps me busy, but other than that I enjoy action movies and motor sport. Memorable motoring occasions include driving an AudiR8 on the track as well as activity days at Silverstone, Brands hatch and Castle Coombe.

Sally Horne - Finance Director

My formative years were spent as an Accountant Office in the WRAF and it was the training and disciplines that I learnt here that gave me the knowledge and skills to assist me here at Bush Telegraph as Finance Director.

Other skills I learnt in the WRAF have allowed me to skilfully chase bad debtors to the benefit of our business and to chase rabbits-away from my beloved vegetable garden! Socially Steven and I love to entertain and cook for friends or drive through the beautiful countryside of Devon and Cornwall in our Morgan Sports Car (at a sedate speed of course!)

Stevi Hallett - Senior Telecoms Engineer

I am the Senior Telecoms Engineer at the Bush Telegraph and am actively involved with most of our telecom system installations. I have been with the company for many years and during this time I took a year out to travel around Australia. I am also a qualified electrician and am fully trained in Samsung and Panasonic telephone systems.

When not busy at work I enjoy surfing, playing golf, walking, mountain biking and going to Centre Parks with my lovely wife Kelly.

Darren Longbottom - IT System Engineers

I’m one of Bush Telegraph's IT System Engineers and one of the many parts of my job is designing and installing computer networks for businesses as well as ICT support all our IT clients. I also work closely with our telecoms engineers on crossover projects and installs e.g. VOIP platforms.

I’m a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) plus I am a qualified Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) and have an OCR level 3 in ICT support. I have over 10 years of experience in IT using hardware and software from all the major vendors including Cisco, HP, DELL, Netgear, Zyxel, Buffalo, Microsoft, Symantec, Sophos, Sage and many more.

To unwind I like going out for drives in my car and taking it to track days. I also enjoy watching films, motorsport and playing PC/console games. I also like to hit the beach at the weekend and enjoy a good BBQ and a beer.

James Woodford - Telephone Engineer

I joined the Bush Telegraph Company in 2007 after leaving the Army where I worked with radio and satellite communications. After leaving the Army I completed 3 BTEC in cabling (fibre, copper & wireless networking) and since joining Bush Telegraph I have completed Avaya training courses and also Samsung and Panasonic in house courses.

In my spare time I enjoy watching motorsport and riding my motocross bike as well as anything to do with cars such as driving, going to cars shows, etc.

Scott Baldwin - Telecoms Engineer

I am one of the Telecoms Engineer at and I have been with the company for over 10 years starting in the office and working my way to becoming part of the field Engineering team. I am qualified to install all types of Samsung & Panasonic telephone systems and am the engineer you are most likely to see should you have any sort of emergency faults with any of your telephone equipment.

In my spare time I enjoying golfing, surfing, cycling, hiking and playing on the Xbox.

Jon Acheson - Administration Manager

I am the Administration Manager and First Line Support for all Computer & Telephone faults.

Before joining Bush Telegraph I worked for a wine import company where I was in charge of all IT systems both internal and external. Recently, I completed the MCSE Server Monitoring course and also hold qualifications such as BA (Hons) Business Administration, HND in Business & Finance & BTEC in Information Technology Applications.

While not at work I am writing a book and enjoy walking, reading, archery, going to the gym and of course watching TV.

Kim Hamilton-Finch - Customer Service and Quality Manager

Since 2002 I have been a Customer Service and Quality Manager and chiefly get involved in all new customer installation projects.

On an ongoing basis I oversee our ISO:9001 Quality Procedures and ensure that the best level of service is given to our customers at all times.

I started at Bush Telegraph having re-located to sunny Cornwall from Bristol, to spend more time on our boat and also walking and enjoying the Cornish countryside. As ‘social manager’ at Bush Telegraph I enjoy organising staff activities such as walks, bowling, horse riding, etc.

Trudy Moyle - Telesales Operative

For the last few years I have run the franchises for Elf Petrol stations in Cornwall, however seeing the future (or lack of) for small independent garages I sold my business and started to use my people skills as a Telesales Operative, after gaining experience in the Home Improvements industry I joined Bush Telegraph in 2009 to concentrate on new business.

Having discovered recently camping, my partner and I tour the West Country following various folk bands and dancing before sleeping under the stars!

Gilly Taylor - Telesales Executive

I first came down to Cornwall in 2007 to live the life that I had enjoyed here during many holidays with my family and later with my boyfriend.
Several years of working with the public both face to face and over the telephone have honed my skills as a Telesales Executive, a role that challenges me every day. Working closely with the Sales team at Bush is an exciting role as we have carefully planned sales initiatives and targets that we need to execute and surpass.

Socially my partner and I enjoy cooking and we are currently in a ‘Come Dine with me’ competition with a number of friends, which is great fun—although sometimes a little too competitive!
To wear off the calories I walk my lizard and love watching Formula 1 and playing my electric guitar!

Andy Franklin - Sales

Having moved from Oxford two and a half years ago, to find a more relaxed lifestyle, I made what I now know to be one of the best decisions of my career, to work for The Bush Telegraph Company.

I have worked in the industry for many years, with experience in both IT and Telecoms. I have completed training with Avaya, Microsoft, Mitel and Cisco. I have studied Electronic and Manufacturing Engineering at Oxford. I achieved this working for Rover Group, and after that moving on to sales in engineering, then to car sales. I also ran a few small companies including a successful building company.

I finally got in to my current industry IT and Telecoms Sales, and have never looked back. I live in Truro and enjoy water and motorsports.

I have a ten year old Springer Spaniel called Jasper although he is spending time with my parents due to my work commitments. I have climbed mountains and run marathons across hills as a teenager, although I am not quite as active now, I still enjoy being outdoors, but my real passion is my career. I hope to meet with you soon.

Kelly Mitchell - Communications Consultant

Since 2004 I have been a Communications Consultant and am one of the first people our potential customers speak to at Bush Telegraph.

During this time I believe I have spoken to all of our customers at least once and been involved in some of our largest installations.

While not at work I enjoy looking after my 4 children and also enjoy keeping fit and partying!