Vocus finds new chief executive after eight month search

Network backbone provider Vocus has named Andrés Irlando as chief executive officer, effective 14 July 2025.

He steps into the top role at Vocus, replacing Ellie Sweeney who moved to NBN Co as its new chief executive in September 2024.

The search for a new chief executive ended up taking eight months for Vocus, during which time, chief operating officer Jarrod Nink was assigned to the helm of the company.

Irlando brings two decades of executive leadership experience in telecommunications and technology sectors to the Melbourne-based company.

His most recent role was president and chief operating officer at United States-based Zayo Group, a Tier 1 communications infrastructure company owned by private equity firms DigitalBridge and EQT.

Prior to Zayo, Irlando spent six years as chief executive of Verizon Connect, and held multiple senior leadership positions at its parent company.

Verizon Connect expanded operations across North and South America, Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand under his leadership.

Irlando currently serves on the board of directors of Genuine Cable Group, a private equity portfolio company owned by Audax Group.

"I'm thrilled to join the Vocus team, particularly at this transformative stage of its history and growth," Irlando said.

The appointment follows Vocus' completion of the TPG's enterprise, government and wholesale fixed business acquisition earlier this year.

"Andrés' extensive experience in building, integrating and leading multi-billion-dollar digital infrastructure businesses and large, complex teams aligns with our vision," Vocus' chair Penny Bingham-Hall said.