Telstra has appointed three new group executives, including a new head of retail.
Karsten Wildberger is taking on the role of group executive, retail. Currently the group managing director for consumer and acting group managing director for products, takes over from Gordon Ballantyne, who is leaving in December after more than five years with the company.
Wildberger, who has been with Telstra since January 2013, will manage the retail business, including consumer and business divisions, product and digital business units, with broader enterprise-wide responsibilities and a focus on customer advocacy, Telstra says.
The telco notes that the retail portfolio 'represents a significant portion of the company's revenue and profit'.
Wilderberger joined Telstra as group managing director for consumer and also assumed accountability as group managing director for products in May this year.
A former partner and managing director with The Boston Consulting Group advising on telecommunications, technology, industrial goods and utilities globally, he has also held roles with Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone, including as interim chief executive in Romania.
Also appointed to group executive roles were Cynthia Whelan, who steps into the position of group executive, international and new business, and Joe Pollard who will become chief marketing officer and group executive media.
Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn says the positions reflect the telco's 'commitment to improving consumer and product offers through one laser-focused team, to elevate our media and marketing activities and align them across the business, and out continued focus on growth'.
All three appointments are effective immediately.
