Gulf News’ head of digital media, Jeremy Birt, has taken on the executive general manager of operations role for Telstra's directories arm, Sensis.

Brit has been with Gulf News in the United Arab Emirates since 2011, prior to that posting he held a number of executive positions within Fairfax including general manager of group advertising sales.

Sensis recently announced it was buying News Limited's TrueLocal.

In his new role Birt will lead Sensis’ print and digital operations with production, fulfillment, distribution, customer care and customer experience as part of his remit.

John Allan, managing director of Sensis, said: “Jeremy is a vastly experienced digital media executive with a proven track record in driving operational transformation within digital media companies, here in Australia and overseas.”

“I’m delighted to attract someone of Jeremy’s calibre to the Sensis Executive Team where he will play a pivotal role in Sensis’ ongoing digital transformation.”