Optus nabs Telstra exec for business

Permanent MD found after two years.

Optus has confirmed the appointment of former Telstra executive John Paitaridis as managing director of the number two telco's business division.

Paitaridis, previously executive director of network products and services at Telstra, has already begun in the new role at Optus, managing enterprise, corporate and government business.

He will also oversee Optus subsidiaries, services business Alphawest and fibre company Uecomm. His appointment was first reported by The Australian.

He replaces Robert Parcell, who has filled the role in an acting capacity for the past two years.

During his tenure, Parcell oversaw a $30 million expansion of the company's existing contract with Sydney Water, a $40 million deal with the Australian Tax Office and the launch of several evolving cloud products.

Parcell, who has also led Alphawest and other Optus divisions, will move into "a new senior role within Optus", an Optus spokeswoman said.

"[Paitaridis'] strong track record in sales and revenue growth will ensure that Optus gains further momentum as a strategic ICT partner to enterprise and government customers," Optus chief executive Paul O'Sullivan said.

In a statement, Paitaridis pointed to cloud computing, data networking, mobility and enterprise collaboration as a key focal points for the division as he stepped into the role.

Paitaridis is one of few executives with a direct reporting line to O'Sullivan under a newly formed structure.