Edward Pretty

Early career

Pretty was a Partner at 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.^[5]

Telstra

In October 1997 Pretty was appointed Managing Director, International of Australia's public and largest telecommunications company Telstra.^[6][7]

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.^[8] and in 2003 he became Group Managing Director of the Telstra Technology, Innovation and Products Group.^[9][10]

During his tenure at Telstra, Pretty oversaw the entry and early steps of the company in internet and online business.^[11][12] before resigning from Telstra in 2005.^[13]

Macquarie group

In 2006, Pretty became a consultant at Macquarie Group, and continued on with the company to become Executive Director of Macquarie Capital. He was instrumental in Macquarie's bid to build the national broadband network.^[14][15]

Gulf finance house

Pretty joined Gulf Finance House as CEO of Investment Capital and in December 2009, was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer.^[16][17]

Hills Limited

On 3 September 2012, Pretty was confirmed as the Group Managing Director of Hills Limited^[18][19] in association with a major restructure of the company.^[20][21] Pretty oversaw its transformation.^[22][23]

With a number of South Australian universities and the SA Government and Premier Jay Weatherill, Pretty established two centres in Adelaide to foster innovation and support start-up companies.^[24]

On 27 May 2015, Pretty resigned from his position as Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.^[25]

Covata Limited

On 23 December, 2016, Pretty was confirmed as the Managing Director and CEO of Covata Limited.^[26]

Directorships

Pretty was a director of ASX Listed NextDC Limited^[27][28][29] and was Advisory Chairman, Australia and New Zealand of Indian IT company Tech Mahindra Group.^{[30][31][32][33]}

He was Chairman and on the Board of ASX listed RP Data Limited for 8 years.^[34][35] He was Chairman, Fujitsu Australia and NZ.^[36] Investments. Pretty is a co investor, shareholder and director of Bevan Slattery's undersea cable company SubPartners.^[37]

Australian governmental advisory roles

Pretty is on The Ministerial Advisory Council on Communications^[38] for the Honorable Malcolm Turnbull MP, then Minister for Communications.^[39]

He advised on the "E-commerce expert group"^[40] set up by the then Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, the Honorable Joe Hockey^[41] and served as one of the "Members of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Cultural Councils"^[42]