Tech giant pulls in Silicon Valley expertise.
Instead of promoting from within, Telstra has named Kevin Russell (pictured) as Group Executive Telstra Retail, managing the company’s consumer, business, stores and product functions.
Russell will report directly to CEO Andrew Penn and replaces Dr Karsten Wildberger, who after his appointment last October, resigned in December to return to Europe.
Russell previously worked with SingTel Optus from January 2012 to March 2014, and is currently CEO of a Silicon Valley based technology start-up.
Telstra has also appointed former Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop to the newly created role of group executive of technology, innovation and strategy.