Martin Lund brings more than 20 years of experience at top tech innovators to a communications software leader

Metaswitch Networks today announced that its board of directors has appointed Martin Lund as the company's new CEO. Lund will lead Metaswitch into the next phase of its growth, building on the momentum in its business and consumer communications, network interconnect, and cloud network virtualization solutions. Former CEO John Lazar, who joined Metaswitch in 1987 as a software engineer, will remain at Metaswitch as chairman of its board of directors.

The advent of network functions virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) is motivating traditional network operators to embrace a far more software-centric way of implementing networks and services. This industry disruption is creating opportunities for companies like Metaswitch – network software providers that have the agility to embrace new technologies quickly and the ability to deliver on substantial projects for global network operators.

“Martin’s extensive experience in the technology industry, which includes having built and led a multibillion-dollar business unit at a Fortune 500 company, will be instrumental in helping us guide Metaswitch during the next stage of its development and growth,” says Lazar. “We are extremely pleased that he has chosen to join us and look forward to his leadership as we seek to help network operators continue toward a cloud-based, software-centric, all-IP future.”

Lund joins Metaswitch from Cadence Design Systems, where he has served as senior vice president and general manager of the company's IP Group since 2012. Prior to that, he held a number of top management positions during a 12-year tenure at Broadcom, including senior vice president and general manager of the Network Switching Business. He earlier served in engineering leadership roles at Intel. Lund holds a degree in electronic engineering from Frederiksberg Technical College and Risø National Laboratory at the Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen.

Founded in 1981, Metaswitch has built a global customer base of more than 1,000 wireline, wireless, cable, and enterprise network operators. With its seasoned business and engineering leadership, Metaswitch is the network software provider most capable of helping network operators become more software-centric. As CEO, Martin Lund will focus on accelerating development of Metaswitch's most disruptive technologies and expanding Metaswitch's market share and reach as a company providing software solutions for network operators.

“Metaswitch is one of the best positioned players in the communications space today, and it has fantastic potential,” says Lund. “It has strong momentum in development and deployment of software solutions to help network operators around the world simplify operations, reduce costs, and accelerate revenues. This is an exciting time to be in the global communications space, and Metaswitch has the ability and agility to take advantage of the industry's market changes and technology transitions."