Singtel Optus Pty Limited Board Appoints New Chairman

• Non Executive Director John Arthur appointed as Optus Board Chairman commencing 25 August 2025 as Paul O’Sullivan steps down
• Andrew Parker appointed as Non-Executive Director

John Arthur has been appointed as the Chairman of Singtel Optus Pty Ltd with immediate effect, replacing the outgoing Chairman, Paul O’Sullivan who has chosen to step down after a decade in the role.

John joined what was then the Optus Advisory Committee in July 2019 before moving onto the Singtel Optus Board as part of the governance uplift at Optus prior to the appointment of Optus Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Rue.

John has been a member of the Singtel Board since January 2022, and has also been a Director of NCS Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Singtel, since February 2022.  

John has had a distinguished career as an executive, chairman, director and advisor to listed organisations across multiple industries, and has chaired a major Australian law firm.

His most recent executive appointment was as Chief Operating Officer of Westpac, and as a Chairman his last appointment prior to this was as the Chairman of Sydney Metro, where he served a term of six years ending in December 2024, when he retired following the successful opening of the Chatswood to Sydenham line.

John holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Sydney.

Group CEO Singtel Group, Yuen Kuan Moon, said:

“I am very pleased that John Arthur has been appointed as the Chairman of the Optus Board, providing strong leadership and continuity at this pivotal time for the company. His extensive experience in listed companies at both an executive and director level, as well the wise counsel he has provided to both the Singtel Group and Optus while on the Board is greatly valued.”

Incoming Chairman, John Arthur, said:

“I am excited to be appointed as the Chairman of the Optus board at this transformational time for the company. Optus has a new Chief Executive and a refreshed leadership team with a renewed sense of energy and purpose, I am pleased I will be able to play a part in the company’s next phase of its growth.

I know that I am filling some big boots, and Optus owes much to Paul’s stewardship and leadership as we have established a committed Australian board of directors focused exclusively on Optus’ ongoing success.”

Paul O’Sullivan’s career with Optus has spanned more than 3 decades. He was managing director of mobile at Cable and Wireless Optus when Singtel acquired the entity in 2001, in what was then the largest foreign investment in Australia.

Paul went on to serve as Chief Operating Officer at Optus, overseeing its integration into the Singtel Group, before becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2004. From 2012 to 2014, Paul took on a Group remit as Chief Executive Officer of Group Consumer at Singtel, managing the consumer business across multiple countries and overseeing a customer base of over 500 million. Since October 2014, he has been the Chairman of Optus.

Group CEO Singtel Group, Yuen Kuan Moon, said:

“Paul’s storied career at Optus has seen him steer the company through industry challenges, heavy investment cycles and intense sector competition, all while keeping a steady focus on financial discipline and growth. We would like to extend our deep gratitude to Paul for his years of service and stewardship, bringing more choice and innovation to customers, while strengthening Optus’ place in the market.”

Outgoing Chairman, Paul O’Sullivan, said:

“Working with Optus for over 30 years has been a great joy. I have been lucky to work with many great people, too many to call out by name. However, I do want to express my thanks to Moon and Singtel who have been outstanding supporters of Optus, and ensured Australia gets a strong choice in telecommunications.

“I am especially pleased that coinciding with Stephen’s appointment as CEO, we have successfully strengthened our governance, with the CEO now reporting to the Australian Chairman and Board. John Arthur is an excellent choice to make this a strong success.”   

Andrew Parker joins Singtel Optus Pty Ltd Board as Non Executive Director

Andrew Parker will join the Singtel Optus Pty Ltd Board as a Non Executive Director, and will take over from John Arthur as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Andrew has over 25 years of executive and board-level experience, with expertise spanning governance, audit, risk management, advisory services, media, diplomacy, investor relations, and people management.  

Andrew’s career history includes serving as a Non-Executive, Executive, and Advisory Board Member, Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner, and Transaction Services Partner.   

In his most recent executive role as Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner for ASEAN at Investment NSW (2022–2025), Andrew led the NSW Government’s strategy and engagement with ASEAN.

Andrew’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Economics from Macquarie University, and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia & New Zealand and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.  

Group CEO Singtel Group, Yuen Kuan Moon, said:

“The appointment of Andrew Parker to the Board further demonstrates the value the Singtel Group places on onshore experience, governance, and accountability in the Australian environment.”

Incoming Non Executive Director, Andrew Parker, said:

"Optus plays an important role in our community and I am thrilled to be joining the board at this exciting time for the company.

“I look forward to working with the team at Optus to deliver value for shareholders, employees, customers and the wider community."

ENDS

Note to editors:

• The Optus Board of Directors will now comprise of John Arthur (Chairman), Michaela Browning, Yuen Kuan Moon, Tan Ng Kuang Nicky, Andrew Parker, Stephen Rue and Michael Venter.
• Paul O’Sullivan reluctantly made this decision following his recent appointment as the Chair of St Vincent’s and his ten-year tenure as the Optus Chairman.
• John Arthur was formerly a partner of the law firm Freehills; Group General Counsel of Lendlease Corporation; Chairman of the law firm Gilbert + Tobin, Chairman and CEO of Investa Property Group; Group Executive Counsel & Secretariat and then Chief Operating Officer of Westpac Banking Corporation, before retiring in late 2016. He was a Consultant to the Chief Executive of Westpac until late 2020. He is also a former board member of CSR Limited, Rinker Group Limited, Allianz Australia and ME Bank. He retired as Chairman of Sydney Metro in December 2024 after a six year term.

Media contact:
Optus Corporate Affairs

Felicity Ross

+61 427 311 792
media@optus.com.au