Our People
John Camilleri
Chief executive Officer
John brings over two decades of leadership and technical experience to Avance, specialising in digital infrastructure and telecommunications. With a proven track record in guiding teams through complex operational and technological challenges, John has consistently delivered innovative solutions tailored to evolving market demands. He is known for his collaborative approach and ability to foster productive partnerships, both within the company and across the wider industry. John’s commitment to excellence and forward-thinking mindset have made him a pivotal figure in advancing the company’s service offerings and strategic direction.
Gary Coates
Technical Operations Director
After gaining valuable experience working within the family business, Gary Coates pursued a comprehensive university education in internet technology and networks. This strong academic background provided the foundation for his career, as he began to develop the modern business by establishing a series of datacentres and edge fibre networks. Renowned for his ingenuity and a flair for lateral thinking, Gary has consistently devised innovative solutions to complex challenges. His approach to problem-solving has not only driven the success of the business but has also shaped the ethos of the engineering team he has built and mentored over the past 15 years.
Ricky Mathews
Business Development Director
Ricky Mathews began his career undertaking a variety of technical roles in IT and electronics, which led to positions with several well-known telecoms and digital services companies. Since joining the team at the start of the company’s modern era in 2010, Ricky has demonstrated a talent for understanding the real needs of customers and aligning these requirements with the group’s broad portfolio of services. His personal relationships with many clients have been instrumental in guiding the company’s future planning, ensuring Avance Digital Services remains responsive to changing demands.
Heidi Coates
Financial Manager
Heidi Coates has been with the Coates Group since its inception in 1999, overseeing the company’s financial and accounting operations. Managing these responsibilities within a challenging start-up environment has required a careful blend of financial discipline, empathy, and firmness. Heidi’s expertise has enabled the group to maintain robust financial management, successfully balancing competing demands on resources and helping to ensure the company’s stability and growth.
Stuart Munt
Technical Director
Originally trained as a chef, Stuart Munt has always harboured a passion for digital technologies. Over time, he has cultivated a diverse skill set, successfully managing and delivering numerous projects from inception to completion. Working closely with Gary, Stuart has assumed the role of chief architect for many of the core systems underpinning Avance Digital Services. The discipline and time management skills honed in the kitchen have translated seamlessly into his technical career, enabling him to oversee complex projects across multiple disciplines and deliver them to the highest standards.
Philip Evans
Provisioning Manager
Philip Evans serves as Quality Manager, Information Security Manager, Operations (Provisioning), Senior Sales Executive, and Customer Service Manager. His previous roles have encompassed a varied mix of responsibilities, providing valuable preparation for his current work. Through these experiences, he has developed strong skills in customer interaction, problem solving, and regulatory awareness, all of which have been practical assets across his current duties.
Kyle Lowe
Field Service Engineer
Kyle Lowe works as a field service engineer, connecting homes and businesses to advanced technologies. He is adept at devising creative solutions to overcome challenges and is dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. Kyle graduated from college in 2019 with a certificate in ICT and in 2022, he completed an apprenticeship to transition into the IT sector.
Carl Holt
Field Service Engineer
Carl Holt is a fibre engineer with a background as an electrician and in civil engineering. He has been with the company for two and a half years and possesses five years of industry experience.
Careers at Avance
Join our agile, independent team
Becoming part of Avance is joining a close-knit team with opportunities to take accountability, carve your own path, and meaningfully impact the lives of our customers.



