Cellnet appoints new telecoms GM

ASX-listed Cellnet Group has hired former Telstra MobileNet executive Peter Laver as general manager of its telecommunications division, replacing Dean Verberne.

Laver recently held the position of national retail sales and strategies manager at Telstra MobileNet. He will be responsible for the distributor's telecommunications sales strategies, vendor agencies and partnerships with mobile phone carriers and service providers, the company said in a statement.

Laver also previously held national sales manager and national accounting manager positions with MobileNet and was responsible for establishing retail channels to market for the business with the likes of Retravision, Dick Smith Electronics and Myer in 1992, Cellnet said.

The announcement comes one week after the distributor reported a 35 percent fall in its net profit to $5.42 million for its year ending 30 June, 2003. Last month, the company lost a $20 million mobile phone accessories distribution arrangement with Nokia, which was subsequently picked up by Force Technology.

Cellnet shares were trading at 90 cents per share following the announcement on Wednesday afternoon.