Alcatel exec wins NBN CFO role

NBN Co chief Mike Quigley has announced the appointment of two new executives, including Alcatel-Lucent's former chief financial officer (CFO).

The NBN Co's new CFO, Jean-Pascal Beaufret, has joined from Quigley's former employer, Alcatel-Lucent. Also announced today is former Coles executive, Greg Willis.

Willis' telecommunications sector experience includes a five-year stint with Telstra between 1999 to 2004, where he was chief of Retail and Distribution and executive director, Broadband & Online Services. Willis will be the NBN Co's program delivery manager.

"Everyone who is joining NBN during its formative stage is well aware of the tasks ahead and the commitment needed to guide what will be a very large and complex infrastructure project," Quigley said in a statement.

The two executives announced today join recent hires, former head of Qantas HR, Kevin Brown, the NBN Co's chief human resources officer; and outspoken telecommunications analyst, Tim Smeallie, who is now head of commercial strategy for Australia's youngest telco. The NBN Co also appointed its head of industry engagement, Christy Boyce, a former McKinsey principal consultant.

"Each executive brings the best in industry expertise to critical areas of the National Broadband Network and ensures at this very early stage that we have the right mix of capabilities to lead this project through the planning stages," Quigley said. "I look forward to working with this high-calibre team as we begin planning the infrastructure needed to provide Australian homes and businesses with access to the digital economy of the future."

Quigley has shied away from talking to the media, but tomorrow is set to deliver his first public comments on the NBN since he was appointed in June.

The latest round of appointments follow an initial burst of high profile board announced by Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy in August.