Telstra on Friday announced the retirement of chief executive David Thodey and named company insider Andrew Penn as its new leader.
Penn joined the Australian incumbent in March 2012 as its chief financial officer. He will begin his tenure as CEO on 1 May.
He spent 20 years at AXA Asia Pacific prior to joining Telstra and served as the firm’s group CEO between 2006 and 2011.
In a statement, Telstra emphasised that he will continue in the direction taken by his predecessor, focusing on customer service and expansion into new businesses and geographies.
"Telstra plays a critical role to provide leading technology solutions and service to our customers in the consumer, business and broader social environment," he said. "The Telstra board and leadership team has developed compelling plans to 2020, and beyond, which will expand our capability as an increasingly global connectivity company and position us for future growth."
Thodey will remain with Telstra until late August, assisting his successor with the transition.
The 60-year-old has been with Telstra since 2001 when he took the role of managing director of Telstra Mobiles. After a stint as MD of the telco’s enterprise and government business, he became CEO in May 2009.
Thodey noted that Telstra is making progress in improving its customer service.
"We have achieved much change but there is a lot more to do," he said.
"We have provided customers with outstanding connectivity choices, a world class mobile network and new technology to make their lives ea sier," he added. "Andy is ideally placed to keep Telstra on that journey and I’m delighted he has been appointed."
