“Spark Ventures has played an important role in our transformation to date and, as we evolve our strategy to “Ventures 2.0”, it will continue to be influential in setting the company’s forward-looking agenda,” he adds.
Mark Beder, Chief Operating Officer, Spark Connect:
Spark announced in February that it would be splitting the old Connect unit into two separate units (Connect and Platforms) and soon followed that with the news that senior Connect executive Mark Beder would be leading the new Spark Connect unit as Chief Operating Officer and joining the Leadership Team from 1 July 2016, reporting directly to Moutter.
“I’m pleased to see that David and Mark are working well on a seamless transition,” he adds.
Claire Barber, Chief Digital Officer, Spark Platforms:
Furthermore, Moutter has appointed Claire Barber, currently GM Change and Technology, to lead Spark Platforms as Chief Digital Officer.
“David Havercroft and I have been working through the details of what we’d like Platforms to achieve and we share the view that Claire Barber is a great fit for the Chief Digital Officer role,” he adds.
“Claire has done an outstanding job delivering the Re-engineering Programme and putting that new capability to work in a ‘digital first’ manner.
“She’s the best person to take the reins to deliver the next evolution of digital platforms and customer experience that will be crucial to our future success."
Going forward, Barber will report to Moutter and join the leadership team with effect from 1 July 2016.”
David Havercroft, Chief Transformation Officer, Spark New Zealand:
Looking ahead, the company is about to enter what Moutter thinks will be “another significant and very exciting period” of change.
As such, Moutter has asked David Havercroft, currently Chief Operating Officer, Spark Connect, to take on the role from 1 July 2016 of Chief Transformation Officer to help oversee all the moving parts of the next phase of the telco's strategic transformation.
“This won’t be a permanent role, but it will be an important role for a while yet,” Moutter adds. “David will continue to report to me as a member of the Leadership Team.
"As a very capable senior executive and leader, he will also play a valuable role mentoring and supporting members of my leadership team.”
Regarding a new CFO for Spark New Zealand, Moutter says the telco has identified an “excellent external candidate” to replace Hodson as CFO; and are in the process of finalising the details and will make an announcement shortly.
Once all these moves are in place by late 2016, the new Spark Leadership Team going forward will be as follows:
- Managing Director - Simon Moutter
- Chief Financial Officer - (To be announced shortly)
- Chief Transformation Officer - David Havercroft
- CEO, Spark Digital - Jolie Hodson
- CEO, Spark HMB - Jason Paris
- CEO, Spark Ventures - (To be announced on completion of an internal selection process)
- COO, Spark Connect - Mark Beder
- CDO, Spark Platforms - Claire Barber
- Group HR Director - Joe McCollum
“Over the past four years, we’ve gone through enormous change in our core business, we’ve rejuvenated the company at all levels and we’ve transformed from Telecom to Spark,” Moutter adds.
“It’s required every one of us to step up to the challenge and collectively give our all; and the Spark Leadership Team has certainly done that. It’s been a privilege for me to work with a team of such calibre on this transformation."
For Moutter, leadership succession is something many companies grapple with, with the announcement showing the company's determination "to do this right" and ensure Spark New Zealand has "strong, effective leadership" for the period ahead.
“I’m particularly proud that the majority of the above moves involve the promotion of our own people," he adds.
"It’s a testament to the depth and quality of talent we have within the organisation – and this will continue to underpin our success as New Zealand’s leading digital services company."