Freeserve chief quits for Energis

NEWS John Pluthero, the CEO of Freeserve UK, has resigned his position to become CEO of recently rescued telco Energis. Pluthero - one of the founder members of the company back in September 1998 - will be replaced by Freeserve's chief financial officer, Eric Abensur, on an interim basis while a permanent replacement is sought. Pluthero said in a statement: "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." The UK division of Energis was saved from collapse by a banking consortium last week. Pluthero will be working with Tory MP and former Asda supremo Archie Norman, who was appointed chairman of the revitalised telco.