NBN Co. Limited, the company established to deliver the National Broadband Network, today announced the appointment of two new members to its executive team.

Gary McLaren has been appointed Chief Technology Officer and will initially be responsible for scoping the technology requirements, including the development of the network, systems and service architecture, for NBN Co.

Steve Christian has been named Head of Network Operations and will be responsible for establishing the operational management and support requirements for the National Broadband Network.

Mr McLaren and Mr Christian will report to NBN Co. Executive Chairman Mike Quigley."Both Gary and Steve have considerable experience in the telecommunications industry, with challenging and senior roles at major companies in Australia and overseas," Mr Quigley said.

"Gary's expertise, particularly in the area of commercialising new technologies, will be applied to defining the network architecture for NBN while Steve's experience in the start up of new networks and technologies will greatly assist in establishing its operational areas.

"The appointments are significant additions to the expanding NBN executive team and I am confident their skills and commitment will help ensure we meet our demanding targets over the coming months and years," Mr Quigley concluded.

NBN expects to announce further key appointments to its executive team over the coming months.

Please find below a summary of Mr McLaren's and Mr Christian's executive experience.

Further information:
David Lording
02 9241 6044
0419 683 411

Brief executive backgrounds:

Gary McLaren has 25 years of experience in the telecommunication industry with roles in large and small companies in Australia, Germany and Singapore.

Gary joins the NBN from his role as lead consultant working on Australia's National Broadband Network project for Communications Alliance, a leading telecommunications industry association with responsibilities including the development of guidelines and policy for the Australian telecommunications industry.

Since 2004 Gary has been providing consulting services to various companies in the telecommunications and IT sectors with an emphasis on commercialisation of new technologies.

Customers have included Optus, Telecom Fiji and Telecom NZ-owned Australian carrier AAPT.

In 2001 Gary joined broadband start-up RequestDSL where he was General Manager for Product Management, Carrier Relations and Regulatory.

Gary's early career included engineering roles at Telstra and Siemens. He has degrees in Engineering and Law from The University of Melbourne.

Steve Christian has nearly 40 years experience in the telecommunications industry, having worked in various managerial roles within network design for major telecommunications carriers in Australia and the United States.

Steve was previously Managing Director of Networks SingTel Optus with responsibility for leading the engineering and operation of its fixed, satellite, IP and mobile networks. His earlier roles across the Networks group included managing national field operations and consumer, mobile and multi-media networks. Steve left SingTel Optus in July 2008.

Prior to joining Optus in 1992, Steve held various positions with telecommunications companies including Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland, BellSouth, BellSouth International, US West International, MediaOne International, Cable & Wireless Optus and SingTel Optus.

Steve attended Prince Georges Community College, Maryland University, Darden University and Northwood Institute in the United States as well as the Australian Graduate School of Management in Sydney.

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