Pluthero Quits Freeserve For Energis

John Pluthero, founder and chief executive of internet service provider, Freeserve, is leaving the company to become the next CEO of telecoms group Energis.

Pluthero was instrumental in the establishment of Freeserve while head of strategy at Dixons, from which it was born. He oversaw the group’s acquisition by French internet company Wanadoo (see Freeserve Sold To Wanadoo) and is generally regarded as one of the biggest names to emerge from the dotcom boom.

Freeserve, which is the UK’s largest internet service provider, has appointed chief financial officer, Eric Abensur, as acting CEO while a permanent replacement is found.

Commenting on Pluthero’s departure, Nicolas Dufourcq, chairman and CEO of Wanadoo, said: “John has installed a highly professional and competent management team and I have great confidence that Freeserve will continue its leadership of the UK Internet market.”

Pluthero added: “It’s a wrench for me to leave Freeserve. After all, the business has gone from strength to strength since we became part of the Wanadoo Group and is benefiting from the depth of capabilities that Wanadoo has across Europe. I would like to thank Nicolas and his team for their contribution to the success of the business, and I leave knowing that Freeserve is in the very capable hands of Eric Abensur and the executive team.”

Earlier this week Freeserve signed SMA Nutrition up to run an online advertising campaign on its parenting channel. The campaign begins this week and will run throughout the summer period, aiming to raise brand awareness and promote SMA’s “Newborn Know How” packs (see SMA Nutrition Runs Campaign On Freeserve Baby Portal).

Freeserve: 0845 070 0066 www.freeserve.co.uk

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