Three UK chief executive Russell heads back to Oz

The UK operator Three is to get a new chief executive, as incumbent Kevin Russell is moving back to Australia after four-and-a-half years in his post.

David Dyson, currently Three UK's chief operating officer, will become chief executive on 1 July, the company announced on Thursday. Dyson, like Russell, used to work for the Three Group's Australian business, and joined Three UK in 2009. The Three Group is part of Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa conglomerate.

"This is a good succession plan for Three UK," Russell said in a statement. "Dave has a great track record working across Hutchison's 3G businesses. He has been a key member of my team and I have enjoyed working with him immensely."

Russell has been Three UK's chief executive since 2007. An outspoken chief, he has been a keen campaigner for lower data-roaming charges and last year made his operator the first in the country to offer truly unlimited mobile data, with no fair-use cap.

"Kevin has put a tremendous amount of energy into putting our UK business on a sound footing," Dyson said in the statement. "His clear and decisive leadership has had a significant impact at Three and throughout the mobile communications sector. I know everyone at Three will join me in thanking him for all he has done to put our business firmly and positively on the map. We are in a very strong position and I am looking forward to building on the growth we are now seeing."