Eelco Blok, the former CEO of Dutch operator KPN, is joining the board of Australian operator Telstra as a non-executive director. Blok worked at KPN almost 35 years, including seven as CEO until April 2018.
From 2011 to 2017, Blok also was co-chairman of the Dutch National Cyber Security Council, an advisory body of the Dutch government. He was also a director for the GSMA from 2017 to April 2018.
Telstra said Blok led "significant change programs resulting in value uplift for all stakeholders" at KPN. Improvements included strengthening market positions and balance sheet, improving NPS and achieving top quartile employee engagement. "The need for turnaround at KPN has many similarities with Telstra’s journey and we believe he will bring great value as we continue to execute on our critical T22 strategy," chairman John Mullen said.
Blok’s appointment to the board is effective from 15 February. He will stand for election by shareholders at the Telstra Annual General Meeting later in the year. Blok will also be a member of the Nomination Committee.
Blok is the second Dutchman on Telstra's nine-member board. Niek Jan van Damme, the former CEO of T-Mobile Netherlands, also sits on the Australian operator's board.
