Thodey thunders into Telstra top-spot as Sol sashays Stateside

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 19 May 2009 06:30

IT Industry - Strategy

Although now-former CEO Sol Trujillo was meant to stay in the top job until June 30, David Thodey’s rapid rise to the Telstra top-spot has seen Trujillo take an early mark and go home.

It’s the end of the Sol Trujillo era at Telstra, marking a tumultuous time of transformation, technology and tussles with the Federal Government.

Now that internal candidate David Thodey, previously the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Telstra’s Enterprise and Government division, has taken up his CEO role, Sol Trujillo has decided to return home early.

Thodey’s former position is being taken up by Ms Nerida Caesar on June 9, with Caesar only recently appointed as the GMD of Telstra Wholesale, a position that will now immediately be transferred to Glenn Osborne, at least on an “acting” basis, with Osborne previously being the Executive Director of Telstra Wholesale sales.

So, how much will David Thodey earn as the CEO of Telstra, and what will his contractual responsibilities be?

Well, while there’s no word yet on Thodey’s remuneration, Telstra does note that “In accordance with the ASX Listing Rules, a copy of Mr Thodey’s contract will be lodged with ASX when it is finalised.”

So, now that the era of Sol Trujillo has been “finalised”, all eyes are on Thodey as he takes Telstra through potentially its most troubling time following the Federal Government’s recent NBN announcement.
 
Tick, tock Thodey, your Telstra time as CEO has started, and the legacy you build will determine whether you’re seen as Thodey the Tough, Thodey the Terrible, Thodey the Tame, Thodey the Technologist, Thodey the Temporary, Thodey the Thorough, Thodey the Terrific or some theatrical combination of all of the above.

Time will tell!