All change at Vodafone

Vodafone has today announced several changes to its organisational structure and new senior management appointments.

With effect from October 1, Michel Combes will join Vodafone as CEO, Europe region.

He will be responsible for all markets currently part of the Europe region, together with global marketing and global technology and Vodafone business services. He will also join the executive committee.

For the last two years, Combes has been Chairman and CEO of TDF Group, the private equity backed French operator of shared facilities and terrestrial networks in Europe.

He previously spent a number of years with France Telecom in senior management positions.

Commenting on the appointment, group chief executive Vittorio Colao said: "I am pleased that we have recruited someone of Michel's talents and expertise. I am confident that he will bring significant experience to Vodafone, given his impressive telecoms and entrepreneurial background".

Vodafone Group also announces that the EMAPA region will be reorganised into a central Europe/Africa region and Asia-Pacific region with effect from January 1, 2009.

The two regional CEOs will also join the executive committee and these appointments will be announced in due course.

In addition, Vodafone's investment in Verizon Wireless will not be part of any operating region and will be managed directly at a senior level by Vittorio Colao, Andy Halford and Terry Kramer.

With immediate effect, Terry Kramer will become the group strategy and business improvement director.

He will be responsible for strategy development, for the initiatives aimed at productivity and efficiency gains across Vodafone and the governance and coordination of the relationship with Verizon Wireless.

Kramer will also continue in his current role as group HR director whilst the company conducts a search for his successor in the role.

Vodafone Group also announced that Paul Donovan, CEO EMAPA region has decided to leave Vodafone at the end of this year. He will continue in his current position until January 1, 2009.

Commenting on Donovan's departure, group chief executive Vittorio Colao said: "I want to extend my thanks and appreciation for all that Paul has done for our business and in particular his role in expanding our emerging markets portfolio. We wish him well in the future."