Ex-Optus CEO, Kevin Russell, will join Telstra next month as group executive Telstra retail, leading the company’s consumer, business, stores and product functions.

Russell has held executive roles for SingTel Optus, most recently as country chief officer and CEO consumer, Australia, as well as senior positions at Hutchison Whampoa Group in Australia and internationally.

Russell will report directly to Telstra CEO, Andrew Penn.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Kevin to the Telstra leadership team. He has an impressive track record working for several of the world’s largest telcos in a range of demanding markets,” said Penn.

“He has passionately worked to build customer experiences in new and existing major consumer brands and service business clients. He has managed major programs across national fixed and mobile networks and is well regarded in the local technology community.”

Russell replaces Dr Karsten Wildberger, who resigned last December to return to Europe. He will be Telstra’s third retail executive in six months, after Gordon Ballantyne quit in October.

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