Brian Maher has been appointed as the new Group CEO of Aussie Broadband, following the announcement of Phillip Britt’s retirement as the company’s co-founder and Group Managing Director. Britt’s retirement marks a significant leadership transition for the ASX-listed telecommunications company. While he will step down as CEO on February 28, 2025, Britt will maintain a strong presence in the company by serving as a non-executive director on the board and taking on the role of Special Technical Adviser.
Brian Maher has been a key figure at Aussie Broadband since 2019, serving as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and playing a pivotal role in the company’s strategic milestones. One of his major achievements includes steering Aussie Broadband through its $40 million initial public offering (IPO) in 2020, a move that marked the company’s significant evolution as a public entity. Maher was appointed CEO in February 2024 and is now set to assume the position of Group CEO effective March 1, 2025, further cementing his leadership as the company continues its growth trajectory.
Phillip Britt’s departure signifies the end of an era for Aussie Broadband, which he co-founded in 2008 alongside John Reisinger, the company’s former Chief Technology Officer. Britt and Reisinger established Aussie Broadband through the merger of Wideband Networks, where Britt served as Managing Director, and Westvic Broadband. Under Britt’s leadership, Aussie Broadband grew from a regional internet service provider into one of Australia’s top telecommunications companies. Today, Aussie Broadband ranks as the fifth-largest telco in the country, boasting 780,259 broadband connections and a market capitalization of approximately $1 billion.
Britt’s tenure is marked by several transformative achievements, including the acquisitions of Over the Wire in 2022 and Symbio in 2024. These strategic acquisitions diversified Aussie Broadband’s product offerings and customer base, strengthening its position in the national market. Britt has been widely credited for driving innovation and overseeing the company’s rapid expansion into a national telecommunications leader. According to Aussie Broadband’s chair Adrian Fitzpatrick, Britt has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a remarkable ability to deliver innovative solutions in the telecommunications industry.
As Britt steps down from the day-to-day responsibilities of leading the company, he has expressed confidence in Brian Maher’s ability to guide Aussie Broadband into the next phase of its growth. Britt noted that under Maher’s leadership, the company is well-positioned to continue thriving and achieving new milestones.
This leadership transition also follows the departure of John Reisinger, who left the company in August 2024, marking a shift from the original founding leadership team. Despite these changes, Aussie Broadband remains committed to its mission of delivering innovative telecommunications solutions, maintaining its competitive edge in the market, and solidifying its reputation as a dynamic and rapidly evolving telco.
Under the leadership of Brian Maher, Aussie Broadband is poised to further strengthen its already solid foundation in the telecommunications industry. Maher’s extensive experience, particularly his role in steering the company through its successful IPO, equips him with the strategic insight needed to navigate the evolving market landscape. His appointment as Group CEO signals a new chapter for the company, one that focuses on leveraging emerging opportunities within the telecommunications sector. As Aussie Broadband continues to expand its customer base and diversify its services, Maher is expected to guide the company through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. His leadership is expected to ensure that Aussie Broadband remains at the forefront of innovation, driving both growth and long-term success in a highly competitive market. With a clear focus on continued expansion and innovation, Aussie Broadband is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of its customers and capitalize on the dynamic shifts within the telecommunications industry.