Arqiva appoints Donovan as CEO
April 20, 2020
Arqiva Group has announced that Paul Donovan has been appointed Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
Donovan has over twenty years’ experience in senior executive roles across the technology, media and telecommunications sectors. He is currently non-executive Director on Arqiva’s Board and has previously been CEO of Odeon and UCI Cinemas Group and, before that, CEO of eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications business. He was also a member of the Group’s Executive Committee at Vodafone where he led the Group’s emerging markets businesses.
Donovan succeeds Simon Beresford-Wylie who has been Chief Executive Officer since August 2015. Donovan’s appointment is with immediate effect. He will work Beresford-Wylie over the coming months to ensure a smooth and orderly transition. Beresford-Wylie will formally leave Arqiva on June 30th.
Commenting on the appointment, Mike Parton, Chairman of Arqiva said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Simon for his outstanding contribution over the last five years. Under his leadership we have seen a considerable improvement in the Company’s financial performance, employee engagement and customer satisfaction. I am pleased to be able to confirm Paul Donovan’s appointment. Paul already has significant Arqiva experience having worked with the business since 2017. His industry background and his demonstrable management and leadership strength will be invaluable for the next phase of Arqiva’s evolution. On behalf of the Board, and all of my colleagues in the business, I would like to congratulate Paul on his appointment and look forward to working with him in his new role.”
Donovan, said: “I’m delighted to be assuming the role of CEO at such a pivotal time. If anything, the current crisis has shown the importance of staying connected through news, entertainment and communication and has really underlined the important service that my colleagues at Arqiva provide. Once the proposed sale of our telecoms business completes, we will start a new chapter where our concentrated focus will be on providing the best possible connectivity to our broadcast and utilities customers.”