Optus appoints ex-Telstra exec as MD of wholesale and satellites
Appointments

Optus appoints ex-Telstra exec as MD of wholesale and satellites

Singtel-owned operator Optus has named former Telstra and Vodafone executive Stuart Bird to head up its wholesale and satellite division.

The new role will see Bird oversee products, operations, service delivery, sales and marketing across wholesale and satellite. This will include the Australian operator’s National Broadband Network wholesale offering.

He will be tasked with delivering growth to the division, including an expansion of Optus’ NBN offering, and expanding its satellite customer base across Australia, according to Optus CEO Allen Lew.

Optus began offering wholesale NBN product through 121 points of interconnect in July 2016, adding wholesale access to NBN’s hybrid network in January. It also provides satellite services on a wholesale basis for a number of companies in the region. In 2014, NBN struck a five-year deal to use two Optus satellites to provide high-speed broadband to remote and rural areas in Australia.

"With his strong track record in sales and revenue growth, and a deep knowledge of fixed and mobile products, Stuart is well placed to cement Optus' position as Australia's market leader in both wholesale and satellite services," Lew added.

Bird’s spent more than eight years at Telstra, most recently as executive director of home and business products for Telstra retail, a role he had held since October. He has had stints as executive director of fixed products and services, director of pre-paid mobile products and services, and GM for strategy and business performance in its mobile division.

He joined Telstra in 2009 from Vodafone Australia, where he was head of marketing operations. His new role will see him replacing Robert Parcell, who retired earlier this year.

Bird said, “I am delighted to be appointed to this role. This is an exciting time to be joining a world class brand like Optus, and a truly global company like Singtel. I look forward to leading the team as it continues to build on Optus’ great partnerships and superior communications and technology foundations.”

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