SEEK Asia Appoints Peter Bithos as CEO with veteran leader Suresh Thiru stepping down

• Peter takes over at a time when Asia’s labour markets navigate Covid-19 Impact
• Work with SEEK teams to create step-change growth, better customer experience

SEEK Asia, which combines two leading brands JobStreet and jobsDB under one roof, today announced the appointment of Peter Bithos (pic) as Chief Executive Officer, taking over from veteran leader Suresh Thiru, who has served as CEO since 2016, and has been with SEEK Asia (JobStreet) since 2000.

In his new role, Peter will be responsible for leading and driving business growth and operations of SEEK Asia, while building on the company’s success and presence over the past 23 years throughout Southeast Asia.

Peter’s 25-year career thus far includes various CEO and senior management positions throughout the region, encompassing both developed and developing markets and covering a spectrum of companies from start-ups to large enterprises.

Peter’s notable achievements include building and scaling up digital businesses from scratch, and helping spearhead one of the most successful telco transformations in the world over the past decade.

“Peter has a proven track record growing Tech, Media and Telco (TMT) businesses, leading digital business transformation programs and building strong company cultures in diverse markets across Asia Pacific and the United States,“ said Ian Narev, the SEEK Group Chief Operating Officer and Asia Pacific and Americas CEO.

“I am very excited about what he will bring to our business, while taking SEEK Asia to the next level of growth.”

Acknowledging the contributions and role of Suresh, Ian says, “All of us at SEEK, JobStreet and jobsDB thank Suresh for his leadership over two decades.  He was a real pioneer of our business, and was instrumental in establishing it as a market leader in this region and a trusted brand for millions of job seekers and organisations.”

Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: “I am deeply privileged to join one of the largest and best tech companies in the region. It’s truly exciting to be a part of fulfilling SEEK’s purpose in these times. The opportunity to work with SEEK’s teams and people across Asia to create step-change growth and an even better experience for our customers is unique and special.”

“I feel fortunate to be joining at this very moment because SEEK Asia’s purpose to improve lives through better careers has never been more urgent amidst the current social and economic environments brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

Over the past decade, Peter has been working across Asia and was most recently the CEO of digital streaming service HOOQ, a joint venture between Singtel, Sony and Warner Brothers which failed to get market traction and shut down a few months ago.

He has also held senior roles at Singtel, including Chief Operating Officer of Globe Telecom in the Philippines.

Prior to this, he was CEO of Virgin Mobile Australia, and Director of Strategy and Corporate Development of Optus in Australia. He also has nearly a decade of strategy consulting experience, having served in a management capacity with Bain & Company.