Former People Telecom chief executive John Stanton has been appointed the new CEO of telecommunications industry representative body the Communications Alliance.

Stanton led People Telecom from 2006 until December 2008, when he resigned following the telco’s takeover by M2 Telecommunications. It’s not clear what his activities have been in the past year, but he has also held senior roles with satellite player Intelsat in the UK and US in the past, as well as Telstra in Australia from 1992 to 1999.

He joined Telstra as a result of the telco’s merger with OTC — where he was manager of public affairs, having come from a background as a journalist and press secretary with the Federal Government.

Stanton replaces long-serving Communciations Alliance CEO Anne Hurley, who has led the group and its predecessor the Australian Communications Industry Forum for the past six years. The executive announced her decision to step down last year. Stanton will start in the role in late April.

The group’s chairman Michael Lee welcomed Stanton to the role, saying his recent experience at People Telecom would also give him a strong awareness of the issues facing telcos and their customers in the industry.

One of the group’s current main priorities is engagement with the National Broadband Network Company on behalf of the industry.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Anne for her outstanding leadership of Communications Alliance over the past six years, particularly in establishing its NBN Project. We are delighted that Anne’s significant contribution to the Australian communications industry was recently recognised with the ATUG Chairman’s Award for Industry Contribution and wish her the very best for her future endeavours,” Lee said.

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