Aussie in hot seat at eircom

Eircom today confirmed Rex Comb as its new chief executive officer.

The 43-year-old Australian takes over from Dr Philip Nolan who stood down earlier this month after four years and nine months at the helm.

For the last 18 months, Comb was CEO with Babcock and Brown Capital Management, the Australian venture capitalist group which has taken over the Irish telecoms firm.

” I am excited at the opportunity to lead eircom,” he said.

“In Australia, I led a company of similar size and it’s an honour to have that opportunity here.”

He continued: “Telecoms is an extraordinarily dynamic industry and while eircom has done a good job in a challenging environment, it is my responsibility to lead eircom through the next phase of growth.

“I have relocated my family here and I look forward to getting on with the job. ”

Before joining Babcock & Brown, Comb was Group Managing Director of the Linfox Logistics business for nearly four years. He is also a former Managing Director of Mattel Australia Ltd.

He holds a Bachelor of Business and a Masters of Business Administration from Melbourne Business School. He is a fellow of the Australia Institute of Company Directors and a Fellow of CPA Australia. Married with two young daughters, his interests include cycling, rugby and Australian Rules football.