Key Takeaways:
TELUS Corp. announced that Chief Financial Officer Doug French will retire on June 30, 2026, after a 30-year career, with Gopi Chande, a 16-year company veteran, set to take over the role on July 1.
"Doug's innumerable and important contributions to TELUS' success over the course of his outstanding career have been nothing short of extraordinary," Darren Entwistle, TELUS President and CEO, said in a statement. He praised French's strategic approach to debt management, which secured a nearly 15-year average term to maturity for long-term debt at a 4.77 percent weighted average cost.
The transition is part of a planned succession, with French staying on in an advisory capacity until July 31, 2026, to ensure a smooth handover. Chande, the incoming CFO, currently serves as the finance chief for TELUS Digital and TELUS Health. She has over 30 years of financial experience, including a decade at KPMG where she directed audit services for major technology firms.
The move is designed to ensure continuity in the company's financial strategy and capital allocation priorities. "This planned transition reflects the strength of our leadership bench," Entwistle added, highlighting Chande's deep financial expertise and strong understanding of the company’s strategy.
Gopi Chande has held numerous senior roles at TELUS, including Treasurer, where she was responsible for mergers and acquisitions, pensions, and investor relations. Her experience extends to guiding TELUS Digital's financial evolution through its privatization in 2025. Her appointment is seen as a move to maintain the company's disciplined financial approach. "I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Financial Officer at TELUS," Chande said. "I look forward to working closely with Doug over the coming months to further progress our strategic priorities and strong financial discipline."
The announcement came as TELUS reported its first-quarter 2026 results, posting stable adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 billion and free cash flow growth of 19 percent to $583 million, even as net income declined. The company reaffirmed its key financial targets for 2026, including service revenue growth of 2 to 4 percent.
The smooth transition in the CFO office is critical for TELUS as it continues to execute its growth strategy and navigate a dynamic telecommunications market. Investors will be watching for the company's Q2 2026 results for further commentary on the transition and its impact on financial operations.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
