Cable & Wireless plc chief executive officer for U.S. business, Bill Austin, will leave the company next month. Austin previously was chief finance officer at Exodus Communications Inc., the Internet hosting and web services company that was acquired out of bankruptcy by Cable & Wireless in February.
Austin, who joined Exodus just a year ago to lead the company through its bankruptcy proceedings, was named CEO of the new division at Cable & Wireless less than six months ago to lead coordination of the two businesses.
“Bill had joined Exodus to see the company through its financial restructuring,” said Melissa Neumann, Cable & Wireless spokesperson. “Bills role here was really in the integration of the Exodus hosting business with the existing IP and convergence services in the U.S.”
Its not clear whether Austins tenure as CEO was expected to last only six months, however. “I cant confirm whether this was a set plan from the beginning,” Neumann said.
Simon Cunningham, currently chief executive for Cable & Wireless Japan/Asia, will replace Austin at the helm of the companys U.S. operations. Cunningham joined Cable & Wireless, headquartered in London, in 1995.
“At this point, the company feels that Simon Cunninghams particular experience in building and transforming a business in a particular region really makes him the right one for the job,” Neumann said.
The company did not disclose Austins future professional plans, and he was unavailable for comment.
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