Italy’s Fastweb names new CEO

Walter Renna, currently Fastweb’s head of product design and delivery, is to take over as CEO of the Swisscom-owned Italian operator.

Walter Renna

Renna will replace Alberto Calcagno. After a 23-year career at Fastweb, including ten years as CEO, Calcagno has decided to step down at the end of September.

Fastweb’s board elected Renna as the new CEO with effect from October 1.

Swsscom said that since Calcagno took over as CEO in 2013, Fastweb has continuously increased its customer numbers, revenue and free cash flow, achieving growth for 38 consecutive quarters. In this time, the fibre network has also been expanded and the business customer and wholesale segments have experienced growth and new business areas, such as mobile, coud and cybersecurity, were established. Calcagno joined Fastweb in 2000 as Head of Strategy. He was later appointed CFO, then COO in 2007 and CEO in 2013.

Christoph Aeschlimann, chairman of the Fastweb board, said: “Alberto Calcagno is directly linked to Fastweb’s success story. He has played a key role in shaping our company over the past 23 years, for which I give my sincere thanks. I am delighted that Walter Renna has agreed to become the new CEO of Fastweb. He is a proven expert with extensive management and market experience and detailed knowledge of the telecommunications and technology industry. We have gained a strong leader in Walter. As a member of the management board, he has played a key role in shaping Fastweb’s growth story to date and will continue to keep the company on track. Italy is a core market for us and Fastweb is a key part of our strategy; continuity and leadership are therefore vital in this segment.”

Calcagno said: “I have had an incredibly exciting time in one of the most fascinating companies in Italy. From the advent of fibre in 2000 through to the sophisticated smartphone, fast networks and cloud data, there have been major changes in technology and the way we communicate, both privately and professionally. It is now the right time for me to face new challenges. I would like to thank all employees, customers, partners and our shareholder for the trust they have placed in me.”

Renna said: “I am very much looking forward to my new role as CEO and would like to thank the Board of Directors for placing their trust in me.  I gladly accept this challenge and will give my best to continue our growth story together with the management team and all colleagues.”