Former O2 SMB partner head Jason Phillips will become chief operating officer at Hampshire dealer Aerial Direct.
Phillips, who will start on September 1, left O2 last month after 23 years at the MNO. He will report directly to CEO David Kilby and will be responsible for day-to-day operations, as well as driving organic and inorganic growth.
His appointment will see Aerial co-founder and current COO David Ainslie move into a non-executive director role. Ainslie will continue to advise Aerial’s strategy.
“Jason is someone we have worked very closely with over the past few years,” said Kilby. “During this time, he has shown a mutual energy to drive change and exploit ways to disrupt existing industry models. He is a very respected leader and I am excited to be working directly with him as we expand, break new ground in the market and explore new territories.”
Commenting on his appointment, Phillips added: “Aerial Direct is a business that is well respected across the sector and a benchmark for many. I am impressed with David’s ambitious plans and I am looking forward to working with him and the team, while helping cement our position as a UK leader in business communications. There is so much opportunity in supporting and guiding business customers, especially in these changing times, and Aerial Direct has the plans, infrastructure and people to win and deliver an exceptional service for its customers.”
Aerial claims to be O2’s biggest direct business partner, with more than 130,000 customers. It won Best Dealer (over 50 employees) at the 2017 and 2018 Mobile News Awards.
