The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) has officially appointed John Wrottesley as its new General Manager, succeeding Ryan Wopschall who is stepping down after six years in the role.
Wopschall’s departure marks the end of a significant tenure at the helm of the global subsea cable organisation, which represents member groups across 70 countries.
Wrottesley first joined the ICPC in September 2021 as Project Manager, where he coordinated sponsored projects through tracking and budgeting, oversaw research studies, and managed updates to ICPC Recommendations.
He was subsequently promoted to Operations Manager in November 2024, a role that further deepened his familiarity with the organisation’s internal structures and strategic priorities.
Beyond his work at the ICPC, Wrottesley serves as Executive Director for the European Subsea Cables Association (ESCA), engaging with governments and stakeholders across Europe and the UK.
He brings close to 20 years of experience in the subsea cable industry, with a professional background spanning marine planning and permitting across telecommunications, energy, and oil and gas sectors.
ICPC Chair Dean Veverka offered strong praise for the appointment, stating, “John was the obvious person to step in to fill the GM position. Being part of the Secretariat team for several years and combined with his top-notch organisational skills, in-depth knowledge of the subsea cable industry along with his relationships with several institutions, (including governmental bodies), his promotion was a natural progression, and we look forward to his leadership.”
Veverka also used the statement to acknowledge the outgoing General Manager, adding, “I would also like to add, that on behalf of the ICPC, we wish Ryan all the best in his future endeavours and thank him for supporting the goals of the organisation throughout the years.”
In his new role, Wrottesley will be supported by the Secretariat team and will work alongside the Executive Committee, International Cable Law Adviser Kent Bressie, and Marine Scientific Adviser Dr Michael Clare.
The ICPC has confirmed that a new Operations Manager will be announced within the coming months, as the organisation moves to fill the vacancy left by Wrottesley’s elevation to the top position.
The ICPC is a non-commercial, non-profit international body comprising 260 member organisations from 70 countries, collectively representing over 98% of the world’s submarine telecommunications cable infrastructure.
The organisation plays a central role in coordinating the building, operation, and maintenance of submarine telecommunications and power cable networks that underpin global communications and energy systems.