Director biographies
CEO - Managing Director - Sales Director - Engineering Director - Finance Director
Tony Rowe
Chief executive and chairman
Tony left school at the age of 15 and joined the Royal Marines Band as a drummer and bugler. Made redundant from the Royal Marines in 1973, he started a company selling and repairing powerboat engines. He went on to race powerboats successfully becoming the British champion winning the Rouen 24hr powerboat race and setting a new British water speed record.
In 1982, the Government announced that they were going to open up the telephone market. Tony immediately recognised the potential business opportunity and persuaded Mark Delling and Brian Lodge, both of whom were working in the boat industry, to retrain and work in his new company, South West Telecoms, selling computers and business telephony systems
The company has grown to become a complete communications business and has rebranded and changed its name to South West Communications Group to emphasise that fact.
Tony is also the chief executive and chairman of Exeter Chiefs RFC who currently play in The Championship. Tony is a keen motorcyclist and has recently undertaken motor bike trips from Cape Town to Cairo and around South America to raise money for Devon charities. He also restores old fire engines in his spare time.
Back to topHarry Langley
Managing director
Harry Langley joined South West Communications Group as commercial director in 2000 before becoming managing director in 2006.
Before joining South West Communications Group, Harry spent 10 years gaining a variety of commercial experience in banking, plant hire and quarrying.
The father-of-three completed an MBA in 2001 following five years of part-time study to complement the BSc (Hons) agriculture degree he gained from Seale-Hayne in Newton Abbot in 1990.
Harry also played for Exeter Chiefs for 10 years, racking up 256 appearances, and was selected to represent Devon, South West Division and England Students.
Back to topSarah Flowers
Sales director
Sarah Flowers joined South West Communications Group in 1986 after graduating from Sheffield University with a BSc (Hons) degree in human physiology.
Sarah started out as a trainee sales executive quickly rising to field sales executive then field sales manager. She became a non-executive director before becoming a shareholding director 15 years ago.
Sarah lives with her award-winning architect husband Kevin in Budleigh Salterton in a house they designed and built on a waterfront plot and was featured in 25 Beautiful Homes. They both enjoy travelling.
Back to topBrian Lodge
Group engineering director
Brian Lodge helped form what has evolved into South West Communications Group in 1983.
Brian actually trained as a yacht builder and met Tony Rowe through the latter’s powerboat engine business. He is an expert in all voice and data installation and management. He is also the group’s company secretary.
Brian took a nine-month working holiday to Australia to build yachts then extended his sabbatical when Australia won the America’s Cup and his skills became very sought after. The father-of-two is a keen sea fisherman and motorcyclist, and loves kayaking and messing about in general in all types of boats.
Back to topSarah Tadd
Finance director
Sarah joined South West Communications Group in 2005 as group accountant before becoming finance director in 2009.
After graduating from Stirling University with a degree in economics in 1983, Sarah worked as an economist and an outdoor sports leader before moving to Devon when she married her husband Phil. She trained as a chartered accountant with a Devon firm and progressed through a variety of accountancy roles before moving to South West Communications Group.
Sarah still enjoys outdoor sports, including sailing, and she helps her teacher husband train his school’s Ten Tors teams.
