Sensis CEO Bruce Akhurst resigns

Akhurst to leave Telstra subsidiary in May after a replacement is found

Hamish Barwick (Computerworld)
13 March, 2012 11:28
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Sensis chief executive, Bruce Akhurst.

Sensis chief executive, Bruce Akhurst, has announced his intention to leave Telstra’s search and directory subsidiary in May after 15 years.

He joined Telstra as general counsel in 1996 and was later appointed to the role of group managing director, legal and regulatory, before being appointed group managing director of the Wholesale and BigPond divisions.

Akhurst had been Sensis chief executive for the past seven years. During that time he spearheaded the company’s transition from print services to a new focus on aiding small businesses wanting to connect with customers using digital platforms.

Telstra digital media group managing director, Rick Ellis, has been appointed acting CEO of Sensis and will work through a transition period with Akhurst while a replacement is found.

Akhurst said in a statement that it was time for a change and he looked forward to “exploring new opportunities.” A Telstra spokesman declined to comment on whether Akhurst had a new role yet.

Telstra chief executive, David Thodey, thanked Akhurst for his contribution in helping the company transition from a traditional phone company to an information, advertising and telecommunications provider.

“Despite a challenging print environment, Sensis has managed to maintain strong print revenues compared with its global peers and has started its transition into a digital media business,” Thodey said in a statement.

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