Sterlite Technologies last week announced the appointment of Paul Atkinson as Chief Executive Officer to head its optical networking business. Atkinson succeeds Ankit Agarwal, former CEO and presiding Whole-Time Director at STL. The appointment comes with the rapid growth of STL's optical business globally.

Atkinson's focal points in his new role will be digital transformation along with rendering of optical solutions to prevailing network building cycles for 5G, FTTx and rural broadband. According to the announcement, the company plans to concentrate its resources on ramping up optical business services, to keep up with the ongoing global networking business trend.

Atkinson comes with over three decades of experience in consumer goods and health care industry markets, automotives, industrial and telecommunications manufacturing, and private equity. He has served at a number of global companies across the US, the UK, Australia, Europe, Middle East Asia. Prior to STL, Atkinson worked at IXOM as Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer. Other than that, he has worked at Prysmian Group, British Cable Association, Approved Cables Initiative, Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited, etc.

Speaking on the recent appointment, Ankit Agarwal, Whole-time Director at STL, said that Atkinson's extensive experience will help to scale the company's business globally. Agarwal is looking forward to working with Atkinson and the team in driving STL's network creation services to the next level along with international growth, devising disruptive strategies.

Atkinson said he is thrilled to join STL at a time, when the company is charting global business growth in the network service industry. He is delighted to lead the optical networking business and is looking forward to utilising his expertise in shaping the future landscape of the company worldwide.

Anand Agarwal, Group CEO, STL, thanked Ankit Agarwal for his contribution in building STL's growth globally and congratulated Atkinson on joining the team and leading its optical business segment. "I look forward to partnering with Ankit in the strategic growth of the company. I welcome Paul and wish him the best. I am confident that with his exceptional global experience, he will take the Optical Networking business to the next level," he said.