Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin resigns

Optus has begun the search for a new chief executive, after embattled CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin resigned, having presided over two high-profile telco disasters within 13 months.

The former CBA executive led Optus through one of the nation’s worst outages and worst data breaches in recent history, and in the face of mounting pressure stepped down to give the telco a chance at a reset.

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin has resigned.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

“On Friday I had the opportunity to appear before the Senate to expand on the cause of the network outage and how Optus recovered and responded,” she said on Monday morning.

“I was also able to communicate Optus’ commitment to restore trust and continue to serve customers. Having now had time for some personal reflection, I have come to the decision that my resignation is in the best interest of Optus moving forward.

“It’s been an honour and privilege to lead the team at Optus and to serve our customers. I am proud of the team’s many achievements, and grateful for the support of the Optus team, [Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan] Moon, and the Group. I wish everyone and the company every success in the future.”

In a letter to Optus staff obtained by this masthead, Bayer Rosmarin said she had “enormous faith in the Optus family” to restore and build customer trust, after what was one of the nation’s most severe telecommunications outages.

“We have achieved amazing results across a range of key measures, including a notable financial turnaround, an enviable connection with our customers and a world-class internal culture,” she wrote in the internal memo.

“This is a great place to work, and you are an incredible team to work with, and I know, despite the setbacks, our customers can sense that.”

The company’s chief financial officer, Michael Venter, has been appointed interim CEO while the search for a replacement begins. Optus’ executives Matt Williams and Gladys Berejiklian, the former NSW premier, are shaping as early frontrunners according to industry sources not authorised to speak publicly.

“Optus appointed Kelly at the beginning of the pandemic, and we acknowledge her leadership, commitment and hard work throughout what has been a challenging period and thank her for her dedication and service to Optus,” Singtel Group CEO Yuen Kuan Moon said.

“Kelly has always led with integrity and had all stakeholders’ best interests at heart. We understand her decision and wish her the very best in her future endeavours.

We recognise the need for Optus to regain customer trust and confidence as the team works through the impact and consequences of the recent outage and continues to improve. Optus’ priority is about setting on a path of renewal for the benefit of the community and customers.”

Bayer Rosmarin’s departure is not the only leadership change at Optus. The telco has also added former Optus Business managing director Peter Kaliaropoulos to the newly created position of chief operating officer, reporting directly to the interim CEO, from Wednesday.

The telco’s parent company, Singtel, will be hoping that the leadership change represents a reset button for Optus, which has suffered through one of the most tumultuous years in Australian corporate history.

This month’s network meltdown affected some 10 million customers and left hundreds of customers unable to get through to triple zero emergency services.

“Optus is an integral part of our Group’s business. We view the events in recent weeks very seriously,” Moon said.

“We fully recognise the importance of Optus’ role in providing connectivity services to the community and the importance of network resiliency and security. That is a top priority in all markets where our companies operate. I have every confidence our Optus team will exert all efforts to deliver for customers and regain their trust and confidence.”

Bayer Rosmarin took the top job at Optus on April 1, 2020, joining the telco after serving at CBA as its head of institutional banking.

Amid rumours that she intended to step down, she dodged questions about her future at a fiery Senate hearing into the Optus outage last Friday.

“Senator, I’m sure you can appreciate that my entire focus has been on restoring the outage issue. It has not been a time to be thinking about myself,” Bayer Rosmarin said in answer to a question from Liberal senator Sarah Henderson.

“My focus is on the team, with customers, the community. My focus is not on myself.”

Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said Bayer Rosmarin’s departure from Optus was “no doubt a difficult decision”, wishing her well for future endeavours.

“The Optus outage experienced earlier this month caused significant disruption to the community, particularly small businesses. We need to learn the lessons to ensure industry and government is as prepared as possible, given no network is fully immune,” Rowland said in a statement.

“The government has announced it will conduct a post-incident review and we will make further announcements about the terms of reference in due course”.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who chaired Friday’s committee hearing into the Optus outage, said the telco’s issues went beyond its chief executive.

“I’d like to thank the former CEO of Optus for fronting up in person to the Senate inquiry last week to answer questions,” Hanson-Young said.

“This was never about which individual is CEO, this is about ensuring millions of Australians have access to what is an essential service; including the ability to call triple zero in an emergency, access government services, contact loved ones, and make and take essential payments.

“The Senate inquiry will continue to focus on solutions, including stronger regulations for telecommunications companies, so that in the event of outages and network failures the community can have confidence that their public interests and safety is protected.”

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