National Broadband Network names former Alcatel exec to team
Mon Sep 14 22:38:23 EST 2009
Mon Sep 14 12:38:23 UTC 2009
(EDS: updates with background in 4th and 6th pars)
SYDNEY, Sept 14 AAP - NBN Co Ltd, the company established to deliver the national broadband network, has appointed a former Alcatel-Lucent executive to its growing, high-powered managerial line up.
Jean-Pascal Beaufret, who left Alcatel in 2007, has been appointed chief financial officer, and will join the company's new head of industry engagement and former McKinsey & Co principal Christy Boyce.
Also joining the team is former Citigroup head of telecoms and media research Tim Smeallie, who becomes head of commercial strategy, and Greg Willis who becomes head of program delivery after leaving a similar position at retailer Coles.
"These appointments are a critical first step in delivering on this important nation-building infrastructure project," said NBN executive chairman Mike Quigley, who is also a former Alcatel executive.
"Each executive brings the best in industry expertise to critical areas of the national broadband network and ensures at this very early stage that we have the right mix of capabilities to lead this project through the planning stages."
The company also said Kevin Brown, the former head of human resources at airline Qantas, has been appointed chief human resources officer and head of corporate services.
NBN Co said it will continue to announce appointments to its executive committee over the coming months.
"Everyone who is joining NBN during its formative stage is well aware of the tasks ahead and the commitment needed to guide what will be a very large and complex infrastructure project," Mr Quigley said in a statement on Monday.
NBN Co will over the next eight years oversee the construction of the national network, which will deliver vastly improved internet speeds to all Australians.
