|
Freshtel Replaces CEO |
|
|
|
Written by Adam Gosling
|
|
Monday, 29 January 2007 |
Freshtel founder and CEO, Michael
Carew has stepped aside to focus on winning more business as the
wholesale VoIP provider re-jigs its senior executive in what appears to
be a prelude to major International expansion.
Major changes
to the Freshtel board and a new CEO signal the publicly listed
Australian company is preparing a major push to achieve a global
footprint in the emerging whitelabel VoIP business.
Former CEO
Michael Carew has taken the role of Director of Global Business
Development, a role that reflects his considerable experience and skill
at setting up whitelabel deals such as the Tesco's partnership.
Meanwhile John Butkiewicz will take his role as Chief Executive Officer.
The change in management is also reflected at board level with former
Chairman Les Taylor stepping in to a non-executive role to allow former
non-executive director Ken Loughnan to become Freshtel's Chairman.
Loughnan,
described as an "experienced company director and former MD of Telecom
Australia International businesses" joined the Freshtel board in June
2006 and is currently also Chairman of the Skilled Group.
New
CEO Butkiewicz was most recently Chief Technology Officer at
Hauwei Technologies, but has also spent time at Alcatel, Ericsson, Link
Telecoms and Telstra in more than 30 years on the job that saw him in a
range of senior roles spanning technology and innovation, sales,
service, marketing and operations.
"His appointment will allow
Mr Michael Carew, Freshtel's founder, to focus on the development and
delivery of new wholesale partnering agreements both in Australia and
overseas in his new role as Director of Global Business Development,"
says a statement to the ASX.
"Now that the business foundation is securely in place, the next phase
is to deliver on the strategic growth plan. Focusing on securing
contracts with additional white label partners will be integral to our
growth.
"Mr Carew was the architect of the ground breaking, white label
agreement with Tesco and managing Freshtel's wholesale prospects in
addition to fulfilling the CEO role. His transition to focusing on
these prospects full time will accelerate this primary aspect of the
business," said Loughnan.
Outgoing CEO Michael Carew said: "It is very satisfying to
reflect over the last three years and the progress Freshtel has made:
we have established a terrific team, a firm strategic direction and
relationships with world class partners. I am now pleased to shift all
of my focus to growing the business through new wholesale, white label
agreements."
"John has an impressive record of achievement throughout his career.
His skillset and experience gained at the forefront of global
telecommunications development will be invaluable to Freshtel, as it
affirms its position as a global leader in internet telephony. John is
well placed to lead Freshtel into a successful future" said new Chairman Loughnan.
On his own appointment, Loughnan was effusive: "I am delighted to
have been appointed Chairman of Freshtel. I have enjoyed working with
the company in the last six months, and am excited by the opportunities
ahead of us," he said.
Andy Dewhurst, chief executive officer of
Tesco Telecoms was similarly pleased at being appointed to the Board.
"I am delighted to be working with Freshtel and look forward to working
with the business to bring exciting new products and services to
market," he said.
Dewhurst joins the Freshtel board as a
non-executive Director following a significant increase in his
employer's capital holdings in the Australian company. "The partnership
between Freshtel and Tesco has been hugely beneficial so far and we
look forward to continued success and many new opportunities," he said.
The
appointment of Dewhurst to the Freshtel Board was foreshadowed at the
time of the additional investment by the massive British retailer.
www.freshtel.net
Related news items Newer news items
Older news items
|
|
|
|
