Former CIBC head to become the first new CEO of Telus in 26 years, as Darren Entwistle retires
John Manley, chair of the Telus board, praised Entwistle’s tenure, saying, “Darren’s dedication to building world-leading broadband and AI infrastructure, expanding our business portfolio, creating immense value in the TELUS brand and fostering a culture of excellence has grown TELUS from a regional Canadian telecommunications provider to a leading global communications technology company.”
He added that under Entwistle, Telus now operates in more than 45 countries and generates over $20 billion in annual revenue.
“Darren built TELUS into a company that proves commercial success and social impact are not competing ambitions, they are mutually reinforcing,” continued Manley, calling the outgoing CEO “one of the greatest builders and innovators in the annals of Canadian business and global telecommunications.”
Darren Entwistle (Telus)
Victor Dodig (Telus)
Entwistle said the board had chosen “an outstanding successor in Victor,” adding that Dodig “embodies TELUS’ core values” and brings “tremendous skills, CEO expertise, and deep experience” to the role.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to be a member of the TELUS team. The success we have realized belongs to the extraordinary people who have built so passionately the amazing culture that sets this company apart,” continued Entwistle.
As part of the transition, Entwistle will remain available as an advisor to Dodig until April 2027.
Dodig arrives at the telecommunications giant after a decade leading the banking giant up until 2025. He has held various roles in the financial institution for decades.
“Victor is an exceptional leader with over three decades of experience building and transforming CIBC into a more modern, relationship-oriented and digitally focused institution,” Manley said. He added that Dodig’s experience “leading customer-oriented businesses, driving growth and operating in a regulated sector positions him ideally to build on Darren’s legacy.”
In a statement, Dodig said he was “deeply honoured by the opportunity to lead TELUS on this journey.”
“TELUS has built a remarkable foundation with leading network infrastructure, a strong portfolio of growth businesses and a distinctive culture rooted in putting customers and communities first that sets the company apart globally,” added Dodig.
Telus Garden office tower in downtown Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)
In its fourth quarter and full-year financial report for 2025, released in early February 2026, Telus reported strong operational and financial performance.
In 2025’s fourth quarter alone, the company added 377,000 net customers, including 50,000 mobile phone subscribers, 287,000 connected devices, and 35,000 internet customers, marking its fourth consecutive year with more than one million combined mobility and fixed additions.
For the full year, basic earnings per share rose nine per cent, net income attributable to common shares increased 12 per cent, and cash from operations held steady at $4.9 billion. Consolidated free cash flow reached a record $2.2 billion, up 11 per cent.
The results were supported by growth in Telus Health, expanding AI and digital capabilities, and ongoing “financial discipline.”
But the change in Telus’ leadership also comes at a time of growing competition in the Canadian telecommunications market.
According to the financial report, Telus faces ongoing intense competition across its core connectivity businesses, especially in mobile and internet services, where rivals are vying for subscribers and pricing power. This competitive pressure has impacted some legacy profitability and equipment sales. To counter this, Telus states it continues to focus on differentiating with a strong network, expanded digital offerings, and growth in high-value segments such as connected devices and health-related technology services.
Within British Columbia, especially in Metro Vancouver, Telus is also launching its Telus Living strategy of pursuing dozens of market residential redevelopments of its aging telecommunications utility buildings — enabled by the switch from copper telephone infrastructure to fibre optics, which requires far smaller spatial requirements.
Through Telus Living, the telecommunications firm is looking to own and build over 4,000 new secured purpose-built rental homes across B.C., plus new commercial and industrial developments. Currently, there are a total of 18 active proposals by Telus across the province, which would generate a combined total of over 3,000 homes if fully achieved.
Telus Living project concept of 2022-2212 West 10th Ave., Vancouver. (DYS Architecture/Ledcor Property Investments/Telus Living)
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