StarHub announced last Friday that it has appointed Nikhil Eapen as Group Chief Executive Officer with effect from January 1, 2021. His appointment follows a five-month global search after former CEO Peter Kaliaroupolos announced his retirement in July. Kaliaroupolos officially stepped down at the end of October, but will continue to support the management leadeship team until the new CEO takes the helm.

Eapen has over 20 years' experience in the global information and communications technology sector. He is presently Deputy Chief Executive Officer of ST Telemedia, an investment company specializing in ICT businesses. ST Telemedia is also the parent company of StarHub. Prior to that, he spent over 18 years with Citigroup, including seven years as Managing Director & Head of Asia-Pacific Technology, Media & Telecommunications Corporate & Investment Banking.

Terry Clontz, Chairman of StarHub Ltd, said: "This appointment is the result of a rigorous and extensive global executive search. As an experienced executive with a proven track record of regional achievements and broad industry knowledge, my fellow Directors and I are confident that Nikhil is well qualified to lead StarHub in managing the challenges that operators face today, and to pursue new opportunities.”

According to the announcement, the key criteria for selecting the new CEO included senior executive experience in telco and adjacent industries and a strong track record of successful corporate transformation, enterprise and M&A backgrounds to grow the business.