James Riley
Thursday, 06 August 2009 13:18
Business IT -
Technology
Page 1 of 2
Industry analysts have welcomed the NBN Company board appointments as a good mix of communications, finance and general business expertise, although shadow minister Nick Minchin says it lacks specific telecommunications experience.
Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Finance Minister Lindsay
Tanner jointly unveiled five new directors to the NBN Company board,
who will join the newly established company’s chairman and chief executive
Mike Quigley.
Independent telecommunications analyst Paul Budde said the corporate
resumes of the new board team pointed to government’s desire for clear,
high-level strategic leadership in the project’s early stages, rather
than specific industry expertise.
But Senator Minchin is less convinced, arguing a project of such magnitude demanded more directed expertise.
“We’re probably a little surprised that there aren’t more
telecom-focused skills there,” a spokesman from Senator Minchin told
iTWire. “Certainly when you’re about to spend $43 billion, you would
like to think there was more specific experience.”
Among the five appointees is former Telstra Country Wide managing
director Doug Campbell, who brings a 48-year career in the carrier
business to the role. Campbell’s particular expertise is in remote and
regional communication. He was also appointed last month as chairman of
the Tasmanian NBN Company Board.
Other board members include legal giant Freehills’ former chief
executive Peter Hay, a company law specialist with particular
experience in mergers and acquisitions, and former McKinsey &
Company partner Siobhan McKenna, who most recently sat on the
Productivity Commission.
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