David Rowe
Chief Executive Officer

David manages Easynet Global Services, a company that has a global footprint for supplying Enterprise class managed networking, hosting and telepresence solutions to support large enterprises’ critical IP infrastructure.

David has a background in rapid growth high tech start ups having founded Easynet in 1994, and prior to that founding a software company in Eastern Europe

Justin Fielder
Chief Planning and Technology Officer

Justin is Chief Planning and Technology Officer for Easynet Global Services, responsible for the strategic direction; product portfolio; professional service and engineering functions.

Justin joined Easynet in 1997 and provided strategy and direction across the range of Easynet’s service offering, pioneering LLU broadband Internet access and delivering the first Pan-European MPLS networks service.

After the acquisition of Easynet by BSkyB in 2006 Justin became Director of Sky Network Services, responsible for the rollout of and operation of the network and Local Loop Unbundling assets that provide the infrastructure for Sky Broadband. Since launch, Sky Broadband has become the UK’s fastest growing broadband service and covers >70% of the UK population with it’s “on-net” broadband service.

Having completed the Sky Broadband rollout, Justin moved on to become the Director of Research Development and Customer Technology at BSkyB for two years. Here Justin was responsible for driving and developing innovative technological solutions to deliver BSkyB’s content within the home. Additionally he directed the implementation of a coherent set of technology choices across the entire technology function within BSkyB.

Justin rejoined Easynet in July 2009 in a new role as Chief Planning and Technology Officer for Easynet.

Prior to his 12 years at Easynet, Justin worked within the embryonic Internet industry for many years and prior to that at GEC-Hirst Research building massively parallel processing computer systems. Justin also formed and ran his own company specialising in design of graphics systems for TV Broadcast and single board computers.

Justin graduated with an upper class BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Brunel University.

Vince Russell
Group Finance Director

Vince Russell was appointed as Group Finance Director of Easynet in April 2009 alongside his existing duties as Director of Finance, Technology & Enterprise for BSkyB, Easynet’s ultimate parent company.

Vince joined the BSkyB Group in September 2002 and has held a number of finance roles. These included Head of Finance for Sky Broadband immediately following the acquisition of Easynet and launch of the UK-based residential broadband service. Sky Broadband is the UK’s fastest-growing broadband provider.

Vince previously worked in various roles at Omnicom, BMG and the BBC. He is a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and has a degree in Physiological Sciences from Oxford University.

Julie Partridge
Group HR Director

Julie is responsible for an international Human Resources team providing support to the business in all areas of HR management including resourcing, compensation and benefits, employee relations and professional learning and development. Within this role, Julie is responsible for supporting the enterprise business, helping it accelerate its performance in the global corporate market. Julie has over 18 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, and is a Chartered member of the CIPD.

Richard Croft
General Counsel and Company Secretary

A qualified solicitor, Richard is the Company Secretary and General Counsel for Easynet Group Limited. Richard joined the Company following the merger with Ipsaris in 2001 and prior to that worked at GEC PLC.

Adrian Thirkill
Global Customer Operations Director

Adrian Thirkill is Global Customer Operations Director for Easynet Global Services, having joined in January 2008 to take responsibility for Operations at a Global functional level.

Prior to joining Easynet, Adrian spent eight years at COLT Telecom in various Global Operational and Commercial roles. Previous to that Adrian has worked for Cap Gemini and Phoenix IT.

Koen Vanpraet
Global Sales and Marketing Director

Koen is Global Sales and Marketing Director, responsible for the strategic management and delivery of the sales and marketing functions across Easynet Global Services.

Koen joined Easynet as European Sales Director in November 2002, with the remit of developing pan-European sales. In May 2006, Koen became Strategic Accounts Director, accountable for the development of longer-term relationships with Easynet’s larger corporate customers. Within this role, Koen focused on developing effective customer loyalty and executive sponsorship programmes. In July 2008, Koen took on his current role of Global Sales and Marketing Director.

Prior to joining Easynet, Koen has worked with the likes of Xerox and HP in senior managerial roles. Koen holds a Masters in International Business Management, a degree in Communication and Marketing, and a diploma in economical science.

Koen is driven by being part of a changing and growing structure and being able to contribute directly to its development.

Phil Mullan
Managing Director UK

Formerly a non-executive director of Easynet Group Plc, from 1996 until the company’s acquisition by BSkyB in January 2006, Phil then took up full time employment with Easynet in March 2006. He oversaw a number of areas of business change across the Easynet Group. Since spring 2008 he has spent most of his time managing the UK business.

Until 2003, Phil was Chief Executive of the Internet services and training company Cybercafé Ltd, which opened the world’s first internet cafe, Cyberia, in London in 1994.

In between these full-time roles Phil worked as an economist and business adviser. Born in Belfast, Phil moved to Britain in the early seventies where he gained a BA in Economics from Kent University. He also holds a CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Dirk Peeters
Managing Director Northern Europe

Dirk manages daily operations at Easynet Northern Europe. He started working at Easynet in January 2007 as Managing Director of Easynet Belgium.

In February 2008 the Dutch and Belgian operations were combined into a new Benelux organisation with Dirk Peeters as Managing Director. In July 2009 in line with the company strategy, Dirk was asked to extend his area including the Nordics.

Previous to this role, he worked as Marketing Director at Telenet Solutions, the business to business division of Telenet. Before joining Telenet, from 1998 to 2005 he fulfilled different management functions at the KPN group. His last function, after the acquisition of KPN Belgium by Scarlet, was Director Scarlet Business. He started his career in the telecommunication sector with Alcatel in 1993.

Diethelm Siebuhr
Managing Director Central Europe

Diethelm Siebuhr was appointed Managing Director Central Europe of Easynet Global Services in July 2007.

Previously, he was Managing Director of Easynet Germany, a position he held from 2004. Diethelm Siebuhr studied physics and mathematics at the University of Kiel, Germany and added Business Management at the Duke University, USA. He started his professional career with the Siemens AG, Germany, where he filled in several outstanding management positions and finally there he has taken the responsibility for the international broadband and internet business of Siemens. Diethelm boats more than 20 years of Telecom and IT-Services experience in the international markets, with a primary focus on Europe and Asia.

Before joining Easynet Diethelm Siebuhr was Chief Executive of Nextra, a Telenor company, and Tiscali.

Christophe Verdenne
Managing Director Southern Europe

Christophe Verdenne was appointed Easynet Global Services' managing director for the Southern European Region in January 2010. Christophe is responsible for the strategic management and operations of the Southern European region including France, Spain and Italy. In line with Easynet’s overall strategy, he is tasked with accelerating profitable business for this significant region.

Before joining Easynet Global Services, Christophe spent 12 years at COLT Telecom with Senior Director Positions in France, Southern Europe and at Group level.

Previously he gained senior management experience in IT environment: IBM, Software house and Network integration.

Christophe graduated from College of Engineering ESME-Sudria and has a MBA from EM-Lyon.

Arjen Berendsen
Managing Director USA

Arjen was Managing Director for Easynet Netherlands from 2001 to 2008. The Dutch organization grew in that timeframe to nearly 200 people with a top 5 position in managed networks services. Arjen has also been a non-executive director at Sky Broadband SA for 2 years. Arjen is now Managing Director for Easynet US, responsible for the development of the US organization. He holds a master degree in civil law. Before Easynet he worked with KPN in several national and international management roles.

Patrick Sylvain Pierre Smidts
Managing Director Asia Pacific

Mr Smidts, aged 54, is Managing Director Asia Pacific of Easynet Global Services.

Prior to joining Easynet Global Services in Asia Pacific, Mr Smidts was the Managing Director of Easynet Belgium. He started up Easynet Belgium in 1999 and managed it until 2007.

Before taking up his post at Easynet Belgium, Mr Smidts spent 16 years at the Hewlett Packard Company where he held several management positions in International Account Management, Marketing and IT outsourcing services.

During his career Mr Smidts developed a rich experience in the global ICT market, enterprise sales and marketing management, business development, start up of businesses and general management.

Mr Smidts graduated from the State University of Antwerp, Belgium, with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics. He completed a master’s degree in Marketing at the Vlerick Management School in Gent, Belgium.