LONDON -- Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBCE) today announced the appointment of Phil Metcalf as managing director of UK operations with responsibility for expanding the company's extensive managed services customer base and product portfolio.

"Phil brings vital management focus on Global Crossing's UK national business, and I've asked him to concentrate particularly on rolling out converged IP solutions to our installed base and to aggressively seek growth opportunities in one of our most promising markets," said Global Crossing CEO John Legere.

Metcalf steps into this position from being CEO of former Global Crossing subsidiary Global Marine Systems. In August this year, he concluded the sale of this subsidiary to Bridgehouse Marine Ltd. While with Global Marine, he has had the dual role of creating the Global Crossing pan-European leadership team. Since joining the company in 1999, he has had a succession of senior management roles covering the construction and operation of Global Crossing's 45-city pan-European network and global service delivery.

Metcalf will report to José Antonio Ríos, international president, who has responsibility for Global Crossing's international operations in the UK, mainland Europe, Latin America and Asia. Mr. Ríos will serve as chairman of the board of Global Crossing UK.

Commenting on his objectives, Metcalf said: "One of my first priorities is to accelerate the introduction of converged IP services to our existing customers in the government, rail and corporate sectors. As well as nurturing our installed base, we are exploring all avenues for growth. An initial focus is to build on the strong partnerships we have with systems integrators and equipment suppliers to develop new routes to market. By exploiting the reach of our extensive 10,000-km UK core network, our growth potential can be achieved with minimal additional investment."

Metcalf added: "As part of Global Crossing, the UK business has something that our competitors lack - a clear IP vision without legacy issues and with huge scale, both in terms of network reach and access to resources for the development advanced IP solutions."

An engineer by education and training, Metcalf's early career was dominated by the design, installation and commissioning of telecom systems for offshore oil and gas platforms, predominantly in the North Sea. He then progressed to a business development role overseeing major power generation projects in various parts of the world, followed by a time as operations director at the same company, Stone and Webster Engineering (now part of the Shaw Group).

Global Crossing Holdings Ltd.