Leadership Team

We are committed to being a leading provider of digital infrastructure solutions, to help create a better, more connected life for everyone.

  • Michael Simmons

    Michael Simmons

    Managing Director & CEO

    Michael Simmons is a seasoned media and telecommunications executive who brings more than 30 years industry experience to Uniti Group Limited (ASX:UWL). Prior to joining Uniti, Michael was employed by TPG Telecom Limited (ASX: TPM) for in excess of 26 years. Michael held various executive roles and served as CEO for a large proportion of this time. TPM became a public company following acquisition by ASX-listed SP Telemedia Limited (SPT Group) which listed in 2001.

    Prior to listing, the SPT Group was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Washington H. Soul Pattinson Limited controlled NBN Enterprises Group (NBNE). NBNE invested principally in media, entertainment and hospitality businesses including television and newspaper interests. Michael held executive roles within the SPT/NBNE Group of Companies, including as Chief Financial Officer. During his time with SPT/NBNE, Michael developed and implemented the business plan to create a telecommunications business within the Group, which became SP Telemedia and resulted in Michael being Group CEO. Michael continued to lead the growth of SP Telemedia until the acquisition of TPG Telecom.

    In 2008, Michael left TPG Telecom to become the Managing Director of TERRiA, a telecommunications consortium of infrastructure-based telecommunications carriers, formed to bid for the contract to build, own and operate the National Broadband Network. At this time, Michael also joined the M2 Telecommunications Group, as a Director, when market capitalisation was sub $100M. Michael remained a Director until 2016 when M2 merged with Vocus (ASX:VOC) as a $2.2B enterprise. Michael joined the Board of Vocus as a non-executive Director before appointed CEO of Enterprise, Wholesale and Government. Michael went on to serve as Group CEO of Vocus Limited.

    Between 2008 and Michael taking on the executive duties with Vocus, he also had numerous board and advisory roles within the telco and media sectors, most notably a 4.5 year advisory role with AAPT prior to acquisition by TPG. Michael has considerable executive experience in building ASX listed businesses within the telecommunications and media sectors and in particular regional markets.

  • Julia Walsh

    Julia Walsh

    Chief Customer & People Officer

    Julia is an experienced enterprise leader with 25 years experience in the telecommunication industry. Achieving outstanding customer and revenue growth, Julia is an expert at managing customer facing teams. As Chief Customer & People Officer at Uniti Group, Julia maximises revenue by driving acquisitions, customer retention, market expansion, marketing and new product development across the Uniti Group. Prior to joining Uniti Group in July 2021, Julia was at Vocus Group for four years where she held the role of General Manager Enterprise & Government.

    Julia was responsible for the management of more than $220 million in revenue and more than 150 employees across the Vocus Network Service business. Building a successful National Enterprise and State Government sales team, Julia was responsible for delivering an 11% growth in revenue during the first half of FY21 whilst many direct competitors recorded negative growth. Prior to working at Vocus, Julia worked at TPG, AAPT, Brennan IT & OneTel in various leadership roles.

  • Geoff Aldridge

    Geoff Aldridge

    Chief Infrastructure Networks & Technology

    Geoff Aldridge has been in the Information and Communications Technology industry for over 20 years, specialising in the deployment of cable TV networks, Telephony networks, integration of GIS systems, Managing infrastructure integration, co-ordinating network builds and deploying Hybrid Fibre Cable TV networks into green field estates. He has worked at United Artists, Cabletel, TCI, Smallworld, GeoNet and BES before Joining Opticomm in 2007.

  • Brendan Wilson

    Brendan Wilson

    Chief Executive – Retail Operations

    Brendan is an accomplished sales and growth leader with 15 years experience in the telecommunication industry, and a proven track record across all verticals. A results-driven leader, he is adept at leading high-performing teams, expanding into new markets and driving consistent growth across all channels. As Chief Executive of Retail Operations, Brendan is responsible for guiding the continued success of the retail business at Uniti Group.

    Before joining Uniti Group, Brendan was a senior sales leader with the TPG Telecom group for over 12 years, where he was responsible for some of TPG's largest customer acquisitions. Most recently, he was responsible for leading sales and growth for Vision Network, a $100 million business.

  • Padraig Donnelly

    Padraig Donnelly

    Chief Financial Officer

    Padraig is a Chartered Accountant with over fifteen years' experience across professional services, ASX listed businesses and not-for-profit organisations. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University, and a Bachelor's Degree, Accounting and Finance, from Dublin City University. He is currently the Group Chief Financial Officer at Uniti Group, having joined the company in 2019.

    He has previously held senior finance roles at Vocus Group, Simonds Group Limited, Arts Centre Melbourne and KPMG. He was previously a director of Melbourne's West Space gallery and Victoria's contemporary dance company, Chunky Move.