Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Baby Bell man to take helm at C&W

Michael Harrison
Wednesday 15 May 1996 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cable & Wireless yesterday ended its six-month search for a new chief executive by appointing Dick Brown, an American telecoms executive with 27 years experience in the industry, to the post.

Mr Brown is president and chief executive officer of H&R Block, parent company of the on-line network provider CompuServe. Before that he held senior posts with a number of US telecoms operators culminating in the vice-chairmanship of the regional Bell company Ameritech Corporation.

He succeeds Rod Olsen, who was drafted in as acting chief executive last autumn after C&W's chairman, Lord Young, and its chief executive, James Ross, were ousted following a boardroom bust-up.

Mr Brown's task will be to develop C&W's strategy following the collapse of its pounds 33bn merger talks with British Telecom. Prime issues are what to do with Mercury Communications, the UK rival to BT, and its Far East operations.

Mr Olsen will become deputy chief executive with special responsibility for developing interests in the Asia Pacific region where C&W has a 57.5 per cent stake in Hongkong Telecom.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in