NBN Co Announces Ellie Sweeney as Incoming CEO

NBN Co has announced the appointment of Ellie Sweeney as its new CEO, effective December. Sweeney, who has spent the past six years at Vocus—initially as COO and later as CEO—brings a wealth of experience to the role. Prior to Vocus, she spent over 14 years at Telstra, where she held positions including executive director of global enterprise services and sales.

X has unequivocally denied any claims of age discrimination related to the recent layoffs. The company maintains that the workforce reductions were applied uniformly across the communications department, where Zeman was employed, impacting employees regardless of their age. According to X, the decision to downsize was based on departmental needs rather than any discriminatory criteria.

The company has not yet addressed the judge’s ruling directly. This ruling could have significant implications for X, potentially affecting its public image and legal standing. The judge's decision will likely be scrutinized further, with possible consequences for X’s HR policies and practices. As of now, X has refrained from making additional comments about the case, leaving many questions unanswered about the specifics of the layoffs and the broader implications for its workforce management strategies. The lack of response may suggest the company is preparing for further legal proceedings or is considering its next steps in addressing the situation.

Sweeney's appointment is particularly significant for NBN Co at this pivotal moment, as the company is deeply engaged in a major initiative to upgrade and enhance its network infrastructure. Her role will be crucial in overseeing the company's ambitious efforts to transition a substantial portion of its customer base to fibre connections, leveraging the fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) and fibre-to-the-curb (FTTC) overbuild programs. These programs are designed to expand the reach and capabilities of NBN Co’s existing network by deploying fibre closer to customers, thereby improving internet speeds and reliability.

In addition to managing these crucial infrastructure upgrades, Sweeney will be tasked with spearheading NBN Co’s strategic discussions and developments regarding multi-gigabit services. This includes the planned introduction of three new 2Gbps products, which are aimed at both residential and business customers. These new offerings are intended to enhance the broadband experience by providing significantly higher speeds, which can accommodate the growing demands for faster internet and more robust connectivity in both fibre and hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) service areas.

Sweeney’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving these initiatives forward, ensuring that NBN Co not only meets its objectives for network expansion and improvement but also remains competitive in the rapidly evolving broadband market. Her role will involve coordinating with various stakeholders, managing project timelines, and ensuring that the company's offerings align with the latest technological advancements and customer expectations.

In her statement, Sweeney expressed her vision for enhancing digital infrastructure to drive meaningful change and ensure that all Australians benefit from improved connectivity. NBN Co’s chair, Kate McKenzie, highlighted Sweeney’s extensive experience and understanding of the telecommunications sector, emphasizing her role in delivering world-class broadband and maintaining NBN Co’s strong organizational culture. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted that Sweeney’s appointment is timely for maximizing the NBN’s benefits for Australians.