Telenet Announces Leadership Changes
After more than 30 years with Liberty, including 13 years in Belgium, John Porter has decided to step down from the CEO role at Telenet.
John joined Liberty Global in 1994 to help build its Australian start-up business, AUSTAR, where he ultimately became CEO and led the company from 1999 to 2012. AUSTAR was sold to Foxtel in 2012 after which John became CEO of Telenet. Over the past 13 years, he and his team have transformed Telenet from a traditional Flemish cable operator into one of Belgium’s leading data-driven, digital-first telecoms, media and entertainment businesses. Strategic milestones included the acquisition of BASE, the creation of Play Media and the launch of the network infrastructure company Wyre. He was inducted into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2022 in recognition of his contributions to the industry, and will remain as an advisor to Telenet through year-end and Chairman of Wyre.
Incoming Telenet CEO Rocío Lorenzo is currently Senior Vice President of Liberty Latin America and Executive President and General Manager of Cable and Wireless Panama. She will join Telenet on November 2nd 2026 and report directly to Stephen van Rooyen, CEO of Ziggo Group.
Rocío brings two decades of leadership experience across the telecommunications, technology and consumer sectors. She has served as Senior Vice President of Liberty Latin America (LLA) since 2021 and as Executive President and General Manager of Cable & Wireless Panama since January 2024. LLA operates leading communications businesses in 20 markets across Latin America and the Caribbean with annualized revenue of $4.4bn. Under Rocío’s leadership Cable & Wireless Panama has grown its customer base by double digits and significantly increased operating free cash flow, while investing in 5G, fiber, digital and AI capabilities.
Prior to joining Liberty, Rocío led Boston Consulting Group’s Telecommunications Practice, where she was Managing Director and Senior Partner. During that time she worked alongside John Porter on several of Telenet’s most strategic initiatives, including the acquisition of the mobile network BASE in 2016.
Mike Fries, Chairman and CEO of Liberty Global, said: “John has been a tremendous leader at Liberty Global and a great friend for more than three decades. At both AUSTAR and Telenet he brought that rare combination of entrepreneurial drive and operational excellence. He leaves Telenet a strong digital-first business that is exceptionally well positioned for its future as part of Ziggo Group. We all wish John the best in whatever he does next, and I take great comfort in knowing that he will always remain a champion of Liberty Global and trusted friend and advisor.
“I am also delighted to welcome Rocío as the incoming CEO of Telenet. I have known and worked with Rocío for over a decade and as Chairman of Liberty Latin America I’ve watched her grow into a fantastic leader and CEO in the region. Rocío brings deep telecoms expertise, hands-on leadership and a track record of turning strategy into results. She is ideally placed to lead Telenet into its next chapter.”
John Porter said: “It has been a privilege to lead Telenet and work alongside talented colleagues who have helped transform the company while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit that has always defined us.
“As Telenet begins a new chapter as part of Ziggo Group, I feel the time is right to spend more time with my family in Australia. I am especially pleased to be handing over to Rocío Lorenzo. Having worked closely with her during some of Telenet’s most important transformation programmes, I am confident she has the leadership, insight and experience to guide the business through its next phase of growth.”
Rocío Lorenzo said: “I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to lead Telenet and work alongside such a talented team within the broader Liberty footprint. This is a company at the leading edge of innovation, with a tremendous opportunity to build on the strong foundation already in place and bring faster, better, and more reliable connectivity to even more people. I can’t wait to get started, spend time with our teams and customers, and work together to deliver great experiences and create value for all our stakeholders.”
Stephen van Rooyen said: “With over 20 years of international experience as a recognized telecom expert who also knows the local market in Belgium, I’m confident Rocío Lorenzo will lead Telenet into its next chapter as we build the Benelux connectivity champion.”
Ziggo Group is progressing towards a planned listing on Euronext Amsterdam in 2027. John Porter will remain with Telenet until the end of 2026, working closely with Rocío to support a smooth leadership transition, and will remain Chairman of Wyre.
