Optus has appointed Stephen Rue, who is currently running the National Broadband Network, as its new chief executive.
Optus chairman Paul O’Sullivan said the telco would benefit from Rue’s experience in founding “the digital backbone of Australia”.
“We’re extremely pleased to have someone of his calibre to lead the next chapter at Optus. His experience in setting up the digital backbone of Australia will serve us well as we reinvigorate Optus as Australia’s leading challenger telecommunications brand,” Sullivan said.
“We expect Stephen’s operational and financial background to lift service standards significantly for the benefit of our customers.”
Rue said his job would centre on taking care of Optus’ customers, people and business.
“I look forward to accelerating the transformation at Optus so fellow Australians continue to have the choice of a strong alternative telecoms provider and the country as a whole can harness the power of digital connectivity to drive economic participation and social inclusion,” he said.
The announcement of the new chief executive came as the owner of Optus – Singaporean telecommunications company Singtel – said it had launched a new governance model.
The structure would be more decentralised to “empower” its businesses, Singtel management said.
“In today’s uncertain economic environment, businesses need greater independence and agility to better navigate the market and we believe the new governance model will set the Optus management up for success and help Optus restore and cement its position as a leading player in the Australian telecommunications market,” Singtel chief executive Yuen Kuan Moon said.
