Russell, who will report directly to chief executive Andy Penn, will become Telstra’s third retail boss in six months when he replaces Karsten Wildberger in late April.

“He has an impressive track record working for several of the worlds largest telcos in a range of demanding markets,” Penn said in a statement released on Wednesday.

Russell, who has also worked in senior positions for the Hutchison Whampoa Group in Australia and internationally, is currently chief executive at a California-based startup.

Wildberger became group executive for retail in October when Gordon Ballantyne quit, but announced his intention to step down in December.

AAP