Former Orange chief to head Telstra Telstra has announced a United States telecommunications executive will move to Australia to take over as its new chief executive.
Solomon Trujillo will replace Ziggy Switkowski as head of the nation's biggest telephone company from July 1.
Mr Trujillo will be paid a remuneration package of $3 million a year, plus significant performance bonuses.
His main task is likely to be to taking the company through full privatisation, with the Federal Government expected to sell its 51 per cent stake.
Mr Trujillo was formerly based in London as the chief executive of Orange, Europe's third-largest mobile phone company.
As well as his time with Orange, he has held senior roles with US firms Gravitron and US West/Mountain Bell.
He is currently a board member with Pepsi, Target, newspaper chain Gannett and EDS, though Telstra says he will step down from all but one of those positions.
Telstra chairman Donald McGauchie says the board is "delighted" with Mr Trujillo's appointment.
"During his career he has successfully managed fixed-line, wireless, broadband and directory businesses - virtually every facet of Telstra's businesses," Mr McGauchie said in a statement.
On top of his $3 million a year package, Mr Trujillo will receive an annual short-term incentive up to $3 million and an annual long-term incentive up to $4 million, both based on performance.
He will also receive an immediate payment of $1 million and 50 per cent of his first year's incentive.
Telstra shares were up six cents at the time of the announcement.
