Vocus owns and operates independent voice and data networks stretching across the globe. We have the ability to offer services with the control you would expect of a network service provider.

Having purchased services in the Industry for over 20 years, we know the type of company you want to deal with and that is what we strive to deliver. Our Team has extensive experience owning, operating, designing and building carrier networks. They have commissioned E1 capacity to the USA before de-regulation, negotiated multiple bi-lateral PSTN SS7 Voice Interconnects, commissioned optical SDH capacity on undersea cables and built data centres.

Chairman

Vocus Awards

Placed 6th

Placed 28/100

Independent Chairman - David Spence

Mr Spence is well known in the Internet and communications industry both in Australia and New Zealand. He has been involved in over 20 Internet businesses, as Chairman, CEO, director, shareholder or advisor.

Until February 2010, Mr Spence held the role of CEO at Unwired Ltd. Since joining Unwired in January of 2004, Mr Spence grew the company from a handful of employees to one of the world’s largest portable wireless broadband carriers, servicing in excess of 70,000 customers in the greater Sydney and Melbourne areas. In late 2008 the company was sold to Seven Network Limited.

From 1995 until 2000, Mr Spence held various positions with OzEmail, including Managing Director and CEO. Mr Spence grew the business to become Australia’s second largest ISP.

Mr Spence is a past Chairman of the board of the Internet Industry Association.

Mr Spence has a Commerce degree and is a chartered accountant graduating from Natal and Cape Town Universities of South Africa.

Executive Team

CEO and Executive Director - James Spenceley

James Spenceley has been involved with the Internet and Telecommunications industry for more than 12 years. During this time Mr Spenceley designed and deployed the COMindico (later to be known as Soul) network - at the time regarded as the single largest and only converged voice and data network in Australian history. Additionally, James was responsible for connecting the first independent wholesale IP network to the Southern Cross Cable System and launching the company’s wholesale transit product.

A regular speaker at IP and Telecommunications conferences, Mr Spenceley is also a member of the APNIC Executive Council, a founding director of AusNOG and for many years has successfully sourced and deployed switches to non-profit Internet exchanges around the world.

GM of Corporate Strategy and Executive Director - Mark de Kock

Mark de Kock has over 20 years experience in IT&T including Optus, Vodafone, Access Devices, HP (Tandem/Compaq) and Andersen Consulting. His role at Vocus involves defining and executing the growth strategy of the company, having recently completed Vocus' IPO process.

Mr de Kock has a B.Sc (First class honours) in Electrical Engineering from University College London, as well as attending the AGSM (execMBA) and the Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications.

Mark’s appointment coincides with Vocus’ rapid growth where his experience will guide Vocus through an extremely busy time ensuring customers continue to receive the same levels of service that they have come to expect.

CFO - Richard Correll

Richard Correll has extensively worked in finance, media and communications industries in the U.S., China, Europe and Australia, holding senior financial and general executive roles in companies including Ernst & Young, News Limited and Austar.

Mr Correll has a strong record of leadership and management success with organisations undergoing rapid change. Richard holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Indiana University, and obtained his CPA qualifications from the AICPA and was licensed in the State of Ohio, U.S.A.

General Counsel and Company Secretary - Mark Simpson

Mark Simpson joined Vocus from Sparke Helmore Lawyers, where he was a corporate partner in the firm’s Commercial Group. Mark has 15 years experience in corporate and commercial law working for top tier firms in Australia and the UK.

Mark has extensive experience in private treaty mergers and acquisitions, private and venture capital investment, IPOs, MBOs, corporate structuring and general corporate advisory work. Prior to qualifying as a lawyer, Mark was a corporate finance analyst for an American investment bank in London.

Board of Directors

David Spence (see profile above)

Mark de Kock (see profile above)

James Spenceley (see profile above)

Director (Non-Executive) - Jon Brett

Mr Brett has extensive experience in the areas of management, operations, finance and corporate advisory. Mr Brett’s experience includes several years as managing director of a number of publicly listed companies and was also formerly the non executive deputy president of the NRMA. Mr Brett is currently on the board of several unlisted companies and is a director of Investec Wentworth Private Equity (IWPE).

Mr Brett holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Accounting, Masters Degree in Commerce and is also a Chartered Accountant (SA).

Director (Non-Executive) - Paul McConnell

Paul McConnell has over 20 years ICT experience. In 1988 Mr McConnell worked with Geoff Huston to provide a permanent Internet connection for an ANU campus residence. At the college’s request, Mr McConnell then established and ran the first private Internet café for the campus.

In 1994 Mr McConnell and Mark Purcell connected the first permanent Internet connection for any Canberra-based ISP. This was under the APANA banner. The following year Mr McConnell founded his own Internet consulting and ISP business - OfficeLink+. As the oldest Canberra based ISP, OfficeLink+ was responsible for connecting the Australian Parliament House to the Internet and provided ISP and consulting services to numerous large government departments (such as Centrelink).

Mr McConnell has over 15 years experience in successful financial management with a specific focus on Telecommunications. Now based in Sydney, Mr McConnell is delighted to provide Vocus Communications with the combination of his passions: successful business processes and the ability to directly benefit the Australian ISP and Telecommunications Industry.

Director (Independent) - Nick McNaughton

With an extensive background in IT Investments and as a business mentor for multiple IT companies, Nick McNaughton brings an element of strategic maturity and experience to Vocus.

In 2007, with backing from Japan, Mr McNaughton established Blue Cove Ventures, a Venture Capital company committed to supporting gifted entrepreneurs in building prosperous technology companies.

During his career Nick has been an integral member of the start-up teams of globally successful software companies including Allaire (listed on NASDAQ in 1998 and sold to Macromedia in 2001); Soulmates Technology (sold to NASDAQ:IACI in 2002) and Wily Technology (sold to NYSE: Computer Associates in 2006).

Mr McNaughton is currently studying part-time for an MBA from the International Graduate School of Business at the University of South Australia. He is also a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Deputy Chairman of Capital Angels and founding member of Sydney Angels.

Director (Non-Executive) - John Murphy

Mr Murphy is the Managing Director of Investec Wentworth Private Equity (IWPE) - a private equity investment company, and a director of Investec Bank (Australia) Limited. He has extensive experience in the areas of corporate recovery, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to establishing the IWPE Funds, Mr Murphy spent 26 years with an international accounting firm where he held national and regional responsibilities.

Mr Murphy holds Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Commerce and is a Fellow of the Australian Society of Certified Practicing Accountants and is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia.