EXA Infrastructure names Nick Read as new Chairperson to support growth and innovation

Vodafone executive Nick Read joins EXA Infrastructure to drive growth as innovation as new Chairman. A deep understanding of the global telecoms markets and its future evolving needs, Nick will help drive EXA’s strategic network expansion plans, commercial growth and ongoing operational excellence efforts.

EXA Infrastructure names Nick Read as new Chairperson to support growth and innovation

Key takeaways

  • EXA Infrastructure has named Nick Read as its new Chairperson
  • Nick Read was most recently Group Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone and has over 20 years’ of telecom industry experience
  • He will help drive EXA’s strategic network expansion plans, commercial growth and operational excellence efforts
  • I Squared Capital acquired EXA’s network infrastructure and data centre assets from GTT in September 2021

Nick Read appointed Chairperson

EXA Infrastructure, the largest dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, today announced Nick Read as its new Chairperson, to support the execution of EXA’s strategy to become the undisputed leader in the pan-European and trans-Atlantic data centre to data centre connectivity business.

Nick Read Chairperson

Nick is an accomplished and highly skilled business leader with over 20 years’ of telecom industry experience, most recently as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone. With a deep understanding of the global telecoms markets and its future evolving needs, Nick will help drive EXA’s strategic network expansion plans, commercial growth and ongoing operational excellence efforts.

Comments from Martijn Blanken and Nick Read

EXA Infrastructure, Chief Executive Officer, Martijn Blanken said: “Nick is a titan in our industry and I am convinced that his extensive leadership and technology experience will be invaluable to execute our ambitious growth strategy. His track record in business performance and transformation will be a welcome addition to guide EXA’s executive team. I am delighted to see Nick join us and I look forward to working closely with him.”

On being appointed Chairperson of EXA Infrastructure, Nick Read said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of EXA Infrastructure, particularly at a pivotal time for the telecoms industry where we are seeing significant investment in digital infrastructure and market growth. I look forward to working with the EXA leadership team who have a clear focus and commitment to customers, network excellence and continual investment to provide the most compelling experiences to clients and end users.”

I Squared Capital’s acquisition of EXA

I Squared Capital acquired EXA’s European, subsea and North American network infrastructure and data centre assets owned by GTT in September 2021.

Frequently asked questions

Who is EXA Infrastructure?

We own and operate 180,000 route km of fibre and duct across 31 countries, with nine transatlantic cable systems connecting Europe and North America. Backed by I Squared Capital, and run as a pure-play infrastructure company, independent of any hyperscaler or cloud.

What does EXA Infrastructure sell?

Dark Fibre, Spectrum, Wavelengths and Ethernet on routes we own, a Managed Fibre Network (MFN) where we run the network on your behalf, colocation at cable landing stations and amplifier sites, and technical services from design and build to full network outsourcing.

Where does the network reach?

Across Europe and the Atlantic: terrestrial routes from the Nordics to the Mediterranean and the Balkans, nine transatlantic systems into North America, and corridors extending east toward the Caucasus.

Who does EXA Infrastructure serve?

Hyperscalers, NeoClouds and content platforms, carriers and service providers, financial markets, and governments and critical infrastructure operators: organisations that want the physical layer on their own terms.

How do you buy from EXA Infrastructure?

Long-term IRUs to hold capacity outright, flexible leases without the long commitment, or fully managed services. The model is yours to pick; the network is the same either way.

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