MTN Group today announced the appointment of a new Chief Operating Officer (COO), the position will be filled by Jens Schulte-Bockum.
In a statement released this morning, MTN said the appointment becomes effective from 16 January 2017. Jens will succeed Jyoti Desai, who is retiring. Jens has extensive operational experience in the mobile telecoms sector, with his last senior role being as CEO of Vodafone Germany between 2012 and 2015. We expect Jens to bring extensive experience in the consumer business, as well as the area of large scale transformation in a convergent operation.
MTN also announced two additional appointments – Group Executive of Marketing and Executive Head of Business Enterprise.
Bernice Samuels is rejoining the company as Group Executive of Marketing, effective 1 January 2017. Bernice was previously Chief Marketing Officer in MTN SA, prior to assuming a similar role at FNB. She subsequently assumed the position of Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development at SABMiller in South Africa. Bernice will greatly assist in lifting and repositioning product development and uplifting the MTN brand to maintain its pre-eminent position in Africa and the Middle East, whilst adapting to a rapidly evolving sector.
Oliver Fortuin will assume the position of Executive Head of Business Enterprise, effective 1 March 2017. Oliver is currently the CEO of BT Global Services Sub Saharan Africa, having previously held many senior roles at IBM, HP and Lenovo. As Head of BT Global Services, Oliver was engaged in the development and sale of enterprise solutions to many multinationals across the African continent. Oliver will greatly enhance MTN’s strategy in this area.
Commenting on this development, Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN Group’s Executive Chairman said the senior management appointments bring to finality the management aspect of a large scale transformation and operational review process which he said will place the Group in good stead to capitalise on its many prospects and reach its full potential in a rapidly transforming and exciting sector.
“We have attracted individuals of high calibre and wide, relevant experience, to further enhance the existing management team, consistent with the anticipated trajectory of the Group,” he said.
