Edward Pretty
{{Short description|Australian businessman and lawyer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2018}}
Edward (Ted) Pretty (born 1957, Darwin, NT, Australia), is an Australian businessman and lawyer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/officerProfile?symbol=HIL.AX&officerId=1769810|title = HIL.AX - Hills Ltd Profile | Reuters|website = Reuters}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/people/1848866|title = Stocks|website = Bloomberg News}}{{Cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=129630166&ticker=HIL:AU|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113053810/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=129630166&ticker=HIL:AU|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|title = Stocks}}
He is the current chairman of [https://smc.co/ Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC)] and [https://firmus.co/ Firmus], two companies leading the transformation in AI infrastructure and sustainable GPU solutions.
Education
Pretty obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Arts (Economics) and First Class Honors Degree in Law.
Career
= Early career =
Pretty was a Partner at the Media and Telecommunications Law Firm, Gilbert & Tobin. From there, he moved to Optus, serving as an adviser and director of Optus Communications and Optus Vision.
= Telstra =
In October 1997 Pretty was appointed managing director of Australia's public and largest telecommunications company Telstra.{{cite web|url=http://www.fujitsu.com/au/about/resources/news/press-releases/2006/20060609-01.html|title=Ted Pretty appointed Chairman, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand|date=9 June 2006|location=Sydney|access-date=14 December 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/861DE25F-A189-4B26-B4372A17D5AF6FEF|title=Sitting Pretty|date=21 November 2003|access-date=14 December 2017}}
During his time at Telstra, Pretty served in a number of roles, including head of Telstra's Convergent Business Group, and the head of Telstra Retail.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s391134.htm|title=Four Corners - 15/10/2001: Called to Account: Chronology|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224015529/http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s391134.htm|archive-date=24 December 2013|url-status=dead}} In 2003 he became group managing director of the Telstra Technology, Innovation and Products Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.telstra.com.au/uberprod/groups/webcontent/@corporate/@about/documents/document/telstra-annual-review04-01.pdf|website=Telstra|page=8|title=TEL0057 Proof Final|year=2004|access-date=14 December 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Technology/Telstra-selects-Ericsson-for-3G-network/2004/12/24/1103825081752.html|title = Telstra selects Ericsson for 3G network|date = 25 December 2004}}
During his tenure at Telstra, Pretty oversaw the entry and early steps of the company in its internet and online business,{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/christopher-webb/farewell-my-pretty-and-thanks-a-million/2005/08/11/1123353443470.html|website=The Age|title=Farewell my Pretty, and thanks a million|date=12 August 2005}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/ted-pretty-takes-over-at-hills/story-fn91v9q3-1226459371711|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828165428/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/ted-pretty-takes-over-at-hills/story-fn91v9q3-1226459371711|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2012|website=The Australian|title=Ted Pretty takes over at Hills}} before resigning from Telstra in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2005/08/11/ziggy-gets-10m-as-ted-pretty-also-departs/|website=Crikey|title=Ziggy gets $10m as Ted Pretty also departs|date=11 August 2005}}
= Macquarie group =
In 2006, Pretty became a consultant at the Macquarie Group and continued on with the company, becoming executive director of Macquarie Capital. He was instrumental in Macquarie's bid to build the National Broadband Network.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/telstra-reacts-to-fibre-pressure/story-e6frg8zx-1111116352051|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113053836/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/telstra-reacts-to-fibre-pressure/story-e6frg8zx-1111116352051|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|title=Telstra reacts to fibre pressure|newspaper=The Australian}}
= Gulf finance house =
Pretty joined Gulf Finance House as CEO of Investment Capital. In December 2009, was appointed group chief executive officer.{{cite web|title=GFH: Annual report 2010|url=http://www.gfh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/annualreport2010.pdf|website=www.gfh.com|access-date=9 October 2014|page=14}}{{cite web|title=Gulf Finance House forms new investment banking division (GFH Capital) and appoints Group Deputy CEO|date=15 December 2009|url=http://ameinfo.com/blog/appointments/2009/gulf-finance-house-forms-new-investment-banking-division-gfh-capital-and-appoints-group-deputy-ceo/}}
= Hills Limited =
On 3 September 2012, Pretty was confirmed as the group managing director of Hills Limited.{{Cite web|url=http://hills.com.au/getattachment/a620f645-07e9-4bc7-ad42-2843b41c9e60/Ted-Pretty-appointed-as-Hills-Holdings-Managing-Di|title=Hills Australia}}{{Cite web|url=https://itwire.com/it-industry-news/listed-tech/56331-ted-pretty-to-head-hills-holdings|title=iTWire - Ted Pretty to head Hills Holdings|website=itwire.com}} In association with a major restructure of the company{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/a-pretty-tale-of-a-ted-20-transformation/story-fn91v9q3-1226752395050?nk=752b394794f93db43631ef9502b8effc|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170125003348/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/a-pretty-tale-of-a-ted-20-transformation/story-fn91v9q3-1226752395050?nk=752b394794f93db43631ef9502b8effc|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2017|newspaper=The Australian|title==A Pretty tale of Ted 20 transformation}}{{cite web|url=http://www.smartcompany.com.au/leadership/38352-can-ted-pretty-save-an-australian-manufacturing-icon.html|title=Can Ted Pretty save an Australian manufacturing icon}} Pretty oversaw its transformation.{{cite web|url=http://www.hills.com.au/about-us/corporate-overview|title=About Us}}{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/dotcom-veteran-ted-pretty-gives-hills-bottom-line-a-hoist/story-fnihsps3-1226952490348|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113053845/http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/dotcom-veteran-ted-pretty-gives-hills-bottom-line-a-hoist/story-fnihsps3-1226952490348|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|newspaper=The Courier Mail|title=Dotcom Veteran Ted Pretty Gives Hills Bottom Line A Hoist}}
With a number of South Australian universities, the SA Government and Premier Jay Weatherill, Pretty established two centres in Adelaide to foster innovation and support start-up companies.{{cite web|url=http://www.dmitre.sa.gov.au/article/view/1446|title=Hills Innovation Centres to nurture the next great Australian invention - Department of State Development|access-date=2 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304122927/http://dmitre.sa.gov.au/article/view/1446|archive-date=4 March 2015|url-status=dead}}
On 27 May 2015, Pretty resigned from his position as group managing director and chief executive officer.{{cite web|title=Appointment of new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)|url=http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20150527/pdf/42ytj382h87b52.pdf|website=ASX.com.au|access-date=27 May 2015}}
= Covata and Cipherpoint Limited =
On 23 December 2016, Pretty was confirmed as managing director and CEO of Covata Limited.{{cite web| url = https://covata.com/media-releases/appointment-of-new-mdceo-and-board-changes/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180427120844/https://covata.com/media-releases/appointment-of-new-mdceo-and-board-changes/| archive-date = 2018-04-27| title = Appointment of new MD/CEO {{!}} Covata Limited}} Later on, Covata was renamed to Cipherpoint Limited and altered its governance structure. Pretty then moved to part-time executive chair.{{Cite web|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/909608/covata-changes-name-to-cipherpoint-and-alters-governance-structure-909608.html|title=Covata changes name to Cipherpoint and alters governance structure|date=20 December 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://cipherpoint.com/ir/#governance|title = Investor Relations | Cipherpoint}}
= Directorships =
Pretty was a director of ASX listed NextDC Limited{{cite web|title=NEXTDC Board Succession Update|url=https://www.nextdc.com/sites/default/files/reports/1324075.pdf|website=NEXT DC|access-date=1 April 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402141844/https://www.nextdc.com/sites/default/files/reports/1324075.pdf|archive-date=2 April 2015}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nextdc.com/our-company/about-us/members/ted-pretty |title=Ted Pretty | NEXTDC |access-date=2 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407095205/http://www.nextdc.com/our-company/about-us/members/ted-pretty |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead }} and was advisory chairman, Australia and New Zealand, of Indian IT company Tech Mahindra Group.[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/pretty-appointed-mahindra-satyam-chair/story-e6frgakx-1226416047509 Pretty appointed Mahindra Satyam chair] The Australian {{dead link|date=April 2023}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/04/pretty_gets_bollytechwood_role/ | title=Pretty returns to telco land with Mahindra Satyam| website=The Register}}
He was chairman and on the Board of ASX listed RP Data Limited for 8 years.{{cite web|title=RP Data Ltd ASX announcement: 29th October 2008|url=http://www.rpdata.com/news/ir/pdfs/announcements/20081029e_31d7m6c4m5p4tj.pdf|access-date=2 September 2014}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was chairman of Fujitsu Australia and NZ.{{Cite web | url=http://www.fujitsu.com/au/about/resources/news/press-releases/2006/20060609-01.html |title = Ted Pretty appointed Chairman, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand – Fujitsu Australia}}
= Investments =
Pretty is a co-investor, shareholder and director of Bevan Slattery's undersea cable company, SubPartners.{{Cite web | url=http://www.subpartners.net/company/the-team/ted-petty.html |title = SubPartners}}
= Australian Governmental Advisory Roles =
Pretty is on The Ministerial Advisory Council on Communications{{cite web| url = http://www.minister.communications.gov.au/malcolm_turnbull/news/advisory_council_meets_to_discuss_reform_agenda#.VAQAvPmSx8E| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140718134320/http://www.minister.communications.gov.au/malcolm_turnbull/news/advisory_council_meets_to_discuss_reform_agenda| archive-date = 2014-07-18| title = Advisory Council Meets to Discuss Reform Agenda {{!}} Minister for Communications}} for the Honorable Malcolm Turnbull MP, then Minister for Communications.{{cite web| url = http://www.minister.communications.gov.au/malcolm_turnbull| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131025232408/http://www.minister.communications.gov.au/malcolm_turnbull| archive-date = 2013-10-25| title = Malcolm Turnbull {{!}} Minister for Communications}}
He advised on the "E-commerce expert group"{{cite web| url = http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/1999/044.htm&min=jbh&DocType=0| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221408/http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/1999/044.htm&min=jbh&DocType=0| archive-date = 2016-03-03| title = Press Release - Hockey Announces Expert Group for Electronic Commerce [23/09/99]}} set up by the then Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, the Honorable Joe Hockey{{cite web| url = http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=biography.htm&PageID=090&min=jbh| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080202001703/http://ministers.treasury.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=biography.htm&PageID=090&min=jbh| archive-date = 2008-02-02| title = Former Minister for Financial Services and Regulation the Hon Joe Hockey MP - Biography}} and served as one of the "Members of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Cultural Councils"{{Cite web |url=http://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/annual_reports/99_00/5/app16.html |title=DFAT - Annual Report 1999-2000 |access-date=2 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214073110/https://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/annual_reports/99_00/5/app16.html |archive-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}
= Firmus and Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC) =
In February 2022, Pretty was appointed Chairman of [https://firmus.co/ Firmus], the world's first scaled immersion-cooling platform.{{Cite web |title=Firmus - Sustainably enabling AI |url=https://firmus.co/ |website=Firmus}} In May 2023, he was appointed chairman of [https://smc.co/ Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC)], the world's most energy efficient GPU cloud.{{Cite web |title=The GPU cloud built with sustainable technology - SMC |url=https://smc.co/ |website=Sustainable Metal Cloud (SMC)}}
As chairman, Pretty oversees two cutting-edge companies that provide AI infrastructure and super-compute solutions using liquid immersion and advanced technologies.{{Cite web |title=Firmus and STT partner for "sustainable AI factory" |url=https://www.crn.com.au/news/firmus-and-stt-partner-for-sustainable-ai-factory-597261 |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=CRN Australia}}
References
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