Telenor announced changes to its management team that it said would better represent the group's international business, making the Norway-based group the latest operator to overhaul its management to meet new strategies and changing needs.
Once the changes have been implemented, all 13 markets in which the company operates will be represented at management board level to ensure a faster execution of the group strategy, the operator said. It noted that the new executive management team "reflects the group's international footprint with nine members in the new team being non-Norwegians."
In future, the management team will comprise 21 members in total, including current president and CEO Sigve Brekke. In addition, the company has established the functions markets and technology "to improve and develop customer experiences" and to "secure that networks and IT systems are ready for future demands".
Brekke said Telenor provides internet to almost 200 million subscribers and new customer needs are emerging.
"By more directly involving the business unit CEOs in delivering on the global strategy and priorities, we increase our ability to execute and create value," he said, adding that Telenor needs to "explore new ways to sustain growth, capture customers' attention and create value."
The changes will see Ruza Sabanovic appointed as EVP and CTO, Vivek Sood as EVP and CMO, Wenche Agerup as EVP and chief corporate affairs officer and Jon Gravråk as EVP and chief digital officer. Richard Aa and Jon Erik Haug will continue in their current positions as CFO and chief people officer respectively.
Pål Wien Espen will take the position of EVP and head of partner relations Asia, while Morten Karlsen, EVP, will be responsible for Telenor's ownership in VimpelCom and to drive selected strategic projects. Telenor only recently said it plans to sell its entire 33 per cent stake in VimpelCom.
Sharad Mehrotra has been appointed CEO of Telenor India with effect from Nov. 1. Formerly CMO of Telenor Myanmar, Mehrotra was also part of the Telenor India management team for more than four years from 2008.
Kjell Morten Johnsen, Katja Nordgaard, Henrik Clausen and Martin Furuseth (acting) will step down from Telenor Group's executive management.
Telenor is the fourth European operator in recent weeks to announce a restructure of top-tier management, following similar moves by Tele2, Orange and TeliaSonera.
For more:
- see this Telenor release
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