Martin Wylie will cease role as chief executive of CallPlus Group by October 1, company founder Malcolm Dick said in a statement this afternoon.

Founder and executive chairman Malcolm Dick told NBR this afternoon that he will step back into the day-to-day running of the company.

Mr Wylie will remain on the board, and retain his holding in CallPlus group. Mr Dick described the departure as amicable.

“Martin has worked with the company for nearly five years first as a non executive director, then as chief executive for the group. During this period the company has experienced very strong growth on its core businesses with turnover well over $100 million per year, and in excess of 150,000 customers” said Mr Dick.

Mr Dick said he would handle the daily stragetic side of the business, while general manager Mark Callander would handle the operational side.

Following the acrimonious departure of CallPlus co-founder Annette Presley - sparked, ironically, by existing shareholders having to make space for Mr Wylie to take a holding - Mr Callander has emerged as the company's most public face.

Mr Dick said he would appoint a new chief executive in three to six months.

Asked if Mr Callander was a contender, Mr Dick replied "I'd be surprised if he didn't put his hat into the ring. He's a serious contender."

CallPlus Group, which includes the residential ISP Slingshot, recently launched a mobile phone service. It is also expanding its business offerings with a series of IP-based PABX systems.

As Mr Dick prepared to step back into the driving seat today, it was a case of back-to-the-future in more ways than one.

Mr Dick and his (now ex) wife Ms Presley made their original fortune from i4free, a free ISP that was eventually quashed out of existence by Telecom's controversial 0867 charges. The pair settled with Telecom out of court. The Commerce Commission's case continues, a full 10 years on, with the watch dog today signalling yet another appeal.