Gladys Berejiklian has been appointed to Optus’ executive team in a “game changing” move, four months after she resigned from politics.
The former NSW premier has been appointed to the newly created role of managing director, enterprise, business and institutional for the telecommunications giant.
Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said Ms Berejiklian was a proven leader who “demonstrated her renowned strength, leadership, discipline, and composure in successfully guiding Australia’s largest state through one of the biggest challenges in its history.
“She also builds and fosters loyal and dedicated teams who really go above and beyond for her,” Ms Bayer Rosmarin said.
“I believe she will be a game-changer for Optus. In bringing our business-focused teams together under this newly created role, I truly believe that our collective energies can deliver superior customer outcomes in market segments that continue to be dominated by the incumbent.”
Ms Berejiklian resigned from politics in October after the state’s Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it would be investigating whether she breached public trust due to an undeclared relationship with disgraced former Wagga Wagga MP and ex-partner Daryl Maguire.
Despite being touted as a Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Warringah in this year’s election, Ms Berejiklian declared she was looking forward to a “private” life away from politics.
In December, Ms Berejiklian said federal politics was “not something” she wanted to do.
“I’m going in a different direction and I’m looking forward to the opportunities that next year brings,” she said at the time.
Speaking about her new appointment, Ms Berejiklian said she was “excited and proud” to join Optus.
“(Optus) impacts the lives of millions of Australians every day and prides itself in providing outstanding customer service,” she said.
“I look forward to working with Kelly and the executive team of Optus who are providing inspiring and innovative leadership in the telco sector.”
Ms Berejiklian’s successor, Dominic Perrottet, wished her well and said Telstra, as Optus’ competitor, “should be worried today”.
“Gladys will be an asset in any organisation. Not only is she a great leader, but she achieves great outcomes,” he said.
“Her professionalism and diligence will serve her very well.
“It’s a great pick-up.”
Ms Berejiklian is the latest former NSW premier to make a move to the private sector, after her predecessor Mike Baird took up a job at NAB in 2017.
During his tenure at the bank, it’s understood his total yearly remuneration reached as high a figure as $2.29m.
He left the bank in 2020, pocketing $1.9m in the process.
As NSW premier, Ms Berejiklian earned an annual salary of $407,980.
The role with Optus has been freshly created for Ms Berejiklian, with the company seeking to “unlock a greater share of the multibillion-dollar enterprise, business and institutional markets”.
Ms Berejiklian announcement comes on the eve of the by-election for her former seat of Willoughby.
She has campaigned for Liberal candidate Tim James, who last month told News Corp he had “big shoes to fill”.
Ms Berejiklian will commence her new role on February 28.
The corruption watchdog’s findings are due to be handed down later this month.
After Ms Berejiklian announced she would not switch to federal politics last year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said she was embarking on a new chapter in her life.
“Gladys has sort of blazed a trail, I think, for women in the Liberal Party and so many of the great professional women who are coming forward and standing up as part of our team have been inspired by Gladys’ achievements,” he said.
“She’s been a trailblazer. She’s off to blaze a new trail now, but we wish her all the best for her future.”
But last week Mr Morrison was confronted with explosive text messages between Ms Berejiklian and an unnamed federal cabinet minister.
Network 10 political editor Peter van Onselen read the texts aloud during the nationally televised speech.
“In one she describes you as, ‘a horrible, horrible person,’ going on to say she did not trust you and you’re more concerned with politics than people,” van Onselen said.
Ms Berejiklian said she had no recollection of the messages and reiterated her strong support for the Prime Minister.
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