Peter Russell, a Microsoft and BT veteran, is joining CANCOM UK and Ireland as managing director of its Irish business both sides of the border. Most recently managing director of digital services firm Neueda, Russell will join Germany-headquartered CANCOM in the new year.
He will succeed John Lennon who will leave the business in the first quarter of next year. Lennon has led the Novosco company since its acquisition by CANCOM in October 2019.
In line with the changes, Novosco’s rebrand to CANCOM will be competed next month and it will fully operate under the new name from that point. The operation has offices in Belfast, Dublin and Manchester. Russell will be responsible for building a new vision and strategic plan for CANCOM on the island of Ireland and will be supported by Patrick McAliskey, who will continue to act as a strategic advisor, helping ensure continuity across the operations.
A former Ireland rugby international, Russell held various management positions with Steria in the early 2000s before joining Microsoft as regional manager in Northern Ireland and then public sector director for Ireland. He then joined BT Ireland in 2009, going on to become NI business general manager in 2013 and regional director for BT Business in 2014.
In 2017, he became Neueda’s sales and marketing director, becoming managing director in January 2019.
Russell said: “Novosco was a business I long admired and its acquisition by CANCOM places us in a fantastic position to further grow. My key focus will be on maximising the opportunities that the integration provides.”
Martin Hess, managing director of CANCOM UK and Ireland, said: “Peter’s track-record speaks for itself and we are delighted to welcome him on-board. He is ideally placed to lead the business forward and to achieve significant future growth.”
