Telus Corp. has poached a key executive from wireless upstart Wind Mobile.
Andrea Wood, Wind's former chief legal officer, has been named vice-president of legal services at Vancouver-based Telus. She begins her new job on Monday.
"Andrea brings more than 25 years of distinguished legal experience to Telus, much of that in the telecommunications and related industries," Telus said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday. "We expect great things from Andrea as she joins Telus as a senior member of our legal team."
Pietro Cordova, chief operating officer at Wind, confirmed Ms. Wood's departure. "Everyone here at Wind would like to wish her the very best in her new role and thank her for the last four years."
Ms. Wood's departure from Wind, which is the brand name operated by Globalive Wireless Management Corp., comes at a time when the small carrier's future is up in the air.
VimpelCom Ltd., which is a major investor in Wind, is seeking to formalize its control of the Toronto-based carrier through a buyout of its founder and chief executive officer Anthony Lacavera among other moves.
Amsterdam-based VimpelCom has also launched a sale process for Wind, according to sources.
Potential bidders include major Canadian incumbents, rival Mobilicity and private-equity firm Catalyst Capital Group Inc., sources say. Mr. Lacavera's holding company, AAL Corp., is also said to be teaming up with Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris's investment firm Accelero Capital to consider a bid.