Richard Tang returns as Zen Chief Executive

Zen Founder and Chairman Richard Tang has returned to his old position of CEO after our previous Chief Executive Paul Stobart retired from the business at the end of March.

Paul’s tenure has seen a number of significant achievements, not least in the furthering of our commitments to putting people and planet first.

We have achieved certified B Corp status during that time as well as aligning our Net Zero plan to the Science Based Targets initiative and installing solar panels at our Rochdale HQ.

We’ve also retained our status as the only Which? Recommended Provider over the past three years, continued our long run as the PC Pro Best Broadband ISP and introduced our Contract Price Promise in the face of steep price rises for broadband customers across the industry.

During the last five years we have also continued to roll out full fibre broadband to more and more addresses while investing in our network and installing Zen equipment in hundreds of exchanges throughout the country.

Despite only recently returning to the role of CEO, Richard carries a wealth of experience in the position.

Having occupied the Chief Executive role for 23 years prior to handing the reins over to Paul, Richard helped grow Zen from a small home-based business into the award-winning cloud, connectivity and networking provider it is today.

“Five years ago, I offered Paul my job as CEO”, says Richard. “I have said many times that it was one of my best decisions, and it really was. I have enjoyed enormously being Zen’s chairman and brand ambassador and supporting Paul in driving the business forward.

“Now it’s time for me to get back in the driving seat, and I can’t wait. Although I was CEO for 23 years before Paul took over, it still holds all the excitement for me of starting a new job! I’m really looking forward to working as CEO and taking us forward to the next chapter of Zen’s success."

As the pioneer of Zen's people-first philosophy, Richard introduced our most fundamental long-term objectives of 'Happy Staff, Happy Customers, Happy Suppliers', and that vision remains just as paramount today as it ever was.

We have every confidence of continued success under Richard’s stewardship and look forward to all that the future holds for Zen and our customers.