Gattung looks set to head Telecom for another year

Theresa Gattung

Telecom appears to have confirmed its chief executive Theresa Gattung will stay in the job for another year, at least.

New Telecom chairman Wayne Boyd told the Australian Financial Review that now was not the time for changes at the top.

Ms Gattung was the right person to lead Telecom through transition brought about by Government intervention, he said.

Shares in the company have slumped 40 per cent in value this year since the Government said it would pass laws in the next eight months to force Telecom to open its copper network to competitors.

The Dominion Post newspaper reported that the board endorsement for Ms Gattung came as she said in an interview that she was focused on leading the company through the next 12 months, but had not thought beyond that.

"I am totally committed to leading the company through this phase," Ms Gattung said.

"I think this phase is going to last another year and that's about as far ahead as I will comment on."

Mr Boyd said Telecom's succession planning was a continuing process and the company had great depth of talent.

- NZPA