Published: October 10, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Serial entrepreneur Gavin Wheeldon has unveiled his target to reach one billion global users.
The CEO of Purple, a global leader in digital connectivity, was part of a stellar line-up of speakers at BusinessCloud’s FUEL Manchester 2025 event on Thursday.
No.1 Circle Square, in Manchester, hosted FUEL, which was sponsored by growing accountancy firm S&W; GM Business Growth Hub; and Bruntwood SciTech.
Wheeldon was joined on the final panel by Steve Oliver, CEO of MusicMagpie, and Hayley Roberts, CEO of Distology.
Explaining his vision, Wheeldon said: “I want to create a single, unified WiFi network all over the world that’s secure, seamless and everywhere. I want billions and billions of users every day on it.”
Purple’s WiFi has already topped 500m users and 80,000 venues, including cities, airports and stadiums like the $5.5bn SoFi Stadium, which has staged the Super Bowl.
The firm recently partnered with Newcastle City Council to deliver an extensive city-wide Wi-Fi network for residents, students and visitors.
Roberts has clocked up more than 10 years at the helm of cybersecurity distributor Distology and explained her mindset for growth: “Just keep going! Just grow and grow and keep expanding your networks and expanding the horizons constantly. Ultimately, we’re aiming for more domination across Europe and growth with people.”
Oliver spoke about the importance of ‘persevilience’, while Jack Maher, head of flexible workspace at Bruntwood SciTech, told the 90-strong audience the property giant had created a cohort specifically for female founders.
The other speakers were Janine Smith, director, GM Business Growth Hub; Lisa Morton, CEO, Roland Dransfield; Gary Fenemore, tax director, S&W; Nicola Weedall, founder & CEO, Hydr; Helen Oldham, co-founder, Lifted Ventures; Billy Gilchrist, business innovation advisor/GenAI expert, Hopwood Hall College; and Chris Hill, CEO, Northcoders.