At the heart of every great company are the stories of the people who helped build it. In this film, we follow Julian Clark – a lifelong engineer and a living archive of the global telecommunications revolution. From the factory floors of Greenwich to the storm-lashed decks of Pacific cable ships, Julian’s journey spans nearly five decades of innovation, collaboration, and adventure.

A Personal Story Set in a Global Context

Julian’s story is not just personal – it’s historical. Beginning with his apprenticeship at Imperial College London in the 1970s, we follow his unexpected entry into the world of submarine cable systems. What started as a temporary job at Standard Telephones and Cables (now ASN) became a 47-year career that would take him from clean rooms and drafting tables to remote cable landings across continents and oceans.

Through Julian’s reflections, the film charts the evolution of telecommunications: from analogue to optical fibre, from hand-built repeaters to today’s sophisticated permanent reservoir monitoring systems. His career mirrors the development of a technology we all depend on, but few understand – the hidden infrastructure that powers global connectivity.

A Unique Voice from a Unique Place

Filmed on location in Greenwich, London – a site that has played a central role in maritime and telecommunications history since the 1850s – the film also explores the physical and cultural heritage of the ASN facility. Julian shares stories from the heyday of British cable engineering, including early submarine cable trials, memorable installations, and the camaraderie of life on the docks and in the pub.

With humour, humility, and deep technical insight, Julian brings to life the generations of quiet expertise behind our digital world. His memories give a human face to a highly complex industry, and remind us that progress is always personal.

Celebrating ASN’s 30th Anniversary

Produced as part of ASN’s 30th anniversary celebrations, this portrait film is part of a broader initiative to strengthen ties with the local Greenwich community. Through education, storytelling and outreach, ASN is reaffirming its legacy – not just as a leader in global telecom infrastructure, but as a company rooted in real people, real places, and real history.

Tone and Style

The film is documentary in style – warm, human, and reflective – with a strong emphasis on storytelling. It’s less about corporate messaging, and more about capturing a life well lived, and a career that helped shape the invisible systems we all rely on.

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