iiNet recruits Officeworks CFO

Internet service provider iiNet has recruited Officeworks chief financial officer Michael Howard to fill one gap in its executive team, as it seeks a replacement for another senior executive role.

Mr Howard will commence as iiNet’s chief financial officer at the start of March.

He succeeds David Buckingham, who was selected last year to take over from retiring chief executive Michael Malone.

Mr Howard’s recruitment followed the retirement last week of iiNet’s chief regulatory officer Steve Dalby.

Mr Dalby had been with iiNet since 2003 and had more than 40 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry.

Another big change in iiNet’s executive team was the retirement of chief technology officer John Lindsay, who was replaced last July by new recruit Mark Dioguardi.

Mr Buckingham said Mr Howard had an impressive background in large and respected Australian retail companies, which made his appointment a coup for the company.

“With over 20 years of experience in the competitive retail landscape, he brings the ideal credentials to help iiNet continue to grow by providing the best products and services for our customers,” Mr Buckingham said in a statement.

Prior to his appointment at Officeworks, which is a subsidiary of Wesfarmers, he held senior financial and business planning positions at Bunnings and Coles Myer.

Shares in iiNet were 2.26 per cent lower at $7.33 per share at 9:45am.