AIIA National Board AGM

MBA (Kingston), AMP (Harvard), FCCA, HFAIPM

Andy Penn became the CEO and Managing Director of Telstra, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, on 1 May 2015.  At Telstra Andy is leading an ambitious change program transforming Telstra to be positioned to compete in the radically changing technology world of the future with 5G at its core.

Andy has had an extensive career spanning 40 years across 3 different industries – telecommunications, financial services and shipping.  He joined Telstra in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer.  In 2014 he took on the additional responsibilities as Group Executive International.

Prior to Telstra, Andy spent 23 years with the AXA Group, one of the world’s largest insurance and investment groups.  His time at AXA included the roles of Chief Executive Officer 2006-2011 AXA Asia Pacific Holdings, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Asia and Chief Executive Australia and New Zealand.  At AXA, Andy was instrumental in building one of the most successful Asian businesses by an Australian company that was sold to its parent in 2011 for more than A$10bn.

Other Directorships/Appointments: 

Chairman of the Australian Government’s Cyber Industry Advisory Committee, created to guide the implementation of Australia’s 2020 Cyber Security Strategy; Board Director of the Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) (from 2018); Member of the Council of Trustees of the National Gallery of Victoria; Patron, on behalf of Telstra, of the National and Torres Straights Islanders Arts Awards (NATSIAA); Life Governor of Very Special Kids and an Ambassador for the Amy Gillett Foundation.  He serves on the advisory boards of both The Big Issue Home for Homes and JDRF.

Recognition and Qualifications

Andy has a national diploma in business studies (with distinction), is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, holds an MBA from Kingston University and is a graduate of Harvard’s Advance Management Program.  In 2008 Andy was recognised as Insurance Executive of the year in the Australian Banking and Finance Awards and in 2016 he was made an honorary fellow of the Australian Institute of Project Management.  In 2018 Andy was named by the Financial Times among the top 10 male leaders globally HERoes list supporting women in business.  In 2019 he was named by the Australian Financial Review as among the top 10 most powerful people in business.