LONDON, March 6, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Virgin Media (Nasdaq:VMED) is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Berkett to the role of Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Neil has been Acting Chief Executive Officer of the company since the resignation of Steve Burch in August 2007. Neil will also be joining the Board of Directors of Virgin Media.
Neil joined the company in September 2005 as Chief Operating Officer of NTL, prior to the merger with Telewest. With over 25 years' management experience in customer-facing organisations, he has a strong track record of managing change and driving operational improvements in competitive industries.
Virgin Media has also today announced the upcoming resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Jacques Kerrest. Jacques, who joined NTL in 2004, will leave the company in early April. An executive search for a permanent CFO is underway and an announcement about Jacques' successor will be made in due course.
Commenting on these changes, Jim Mooney, Chairman of Virgin Media, said: "Neil has a long and successful track record of managing and developing consumer-facing businesses and the Board is delighted that he has accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer. As COO, he was the driving force behind the successful integration of NTL and Telewest. Since taking on the role of Acting CEO six months ago, he's demonstrated that he has both the strategic vision and operational experience to take the company into its next phase of growth.
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Jacques Kerrest for his outstanding contribution to Virgin Media. Jacques played a critical role during our company's transition over the last several years and towards enhancing our profile in the financial community. Among other things, he oversaw the complex financing of the merger with Telewest, the acquisition of Virgin Mobile and the successful refinancing of Virgin Media. He also led the integration of the finance department and oversaw the company's SEC and SOX compliance. We very much appreciate his willingness to remain with the Company beyond his initial contract term and we wish him every success for the future."
About Neil Berkett
Born in New Zealand, Neil moved to the UK in 1999 where he has lived since and where his two youngest children were raised. Since then, Neil has served as COO of Prudential Assurance before becoming Managing Director of Distribution at Lloyds TSB in 2003, a position he held until joining NTL Incorporated in 2005, prior to its merger with Telewest Global and its rebranding to Virgin Media. Neil is also Chairman of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's Corporate Development Board.
Neil started his career at the national Post Office in New Zealand before moving to ICL in Australia where he held a succession of senior management roles including Financial Controller. In 1986, he was appointed CEO of Eastwest Airlines, Australia, a position he held for five years. In 1992, he moved into the financial services sector, first at Citibank Limited and then at St George's Bank Limited, one of Australia's largest retail banks, where he was head of the retail division. Neil led the merger planning and integration of St George with Advance Banks.