Liberty Global appoints Nair as CEO of LatAm

Balan Nair

Liberty Global’s chief technology and innovation officer, Balan Nair, is set to become president and CEO of Liberty’s Latin American and Caribbean arm once it is spun off.

Liberty Global said Nair will remain in his current role until its LatAm operation is split-off into a separate public company, which is expected to take place around the end of the year.

Nair joined Liberty Global 10 years ago, during which time he has managed the group’s fixed and mobile network operations, broadband and video product development and strategic planning. The search for his successor is already underway.

“Balan is an exceptional technologist and operating executive who has delivered tremendous value to our company as CTO,” said Liberty Global CEO, Mike Fries.

“He has led us into the future with next-generation broadband, video and mobile products, and has transformed our entire technology operating model.

“I am excited that Balan has agreed to lead this new company into the future, and I look forward to continuing our close working relationship as part of the broader Liberty family.”

Nair said: “It’s been a privilege to work with and learn from Mike Fries and John Malone, and I am proud and humbled to have the opportunity to continue collaborating with them in my new role as President and CEO of Liberty’s Latin American and Caribbean operation.”

Alongside  Nair and Fries, who will be executive chairman, the board of the new LatAm company is expected to include Liberty Global chairman John Malone, Liberty CFO Charles Bracken and Liberty directors Paul Gould and Miranda Curtis.

Three additional directors have been identified for their “regional expertise and strategic value”: former chairman of Charter Communications, Eric Zinterhofer; the co-CEO of Grupo Televisa, Alfonso de Angoitia; and founder and former CEO of Columbus Communications, Brendan Paddick.

Nair brings nearly 25 years of experience in the telecoms, internet, cable and media industries to his new role. Prior to Liberty Global he was AOL’s chief technology officer and before that spent 12 years at Qwest Communications International.