NextDC nabs ex-Telstra's Pretty

Data centre builder NextDC has appointed former Telstra executive Ted Pretty as its executive deputy chairman.

Pretty was due to join the company in April.

While he was most recently the group chief executive of Gulf Finance House in the Middle East, he was best known locally for his former roles as Fujitsu Australia's chairman and group managing director of Telstra's retail and consumer divisions.

NextDC chairman Roger Clarke said Pretty brought with him "strong connections in the business community including relationships at the most senior corporate and government levels that will accelerate the success of NextDC".

NextDC - formed by ex-PIPE Networks' Bevan Slattery - planned to build carrier-neutral data centres in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The company received development approval to commence work on its Melbourne data centre earlier this week.

NextDC's efforts were backed by $100 million in capital.