5th Sep 2006 07:04
Vodafone Group Plc05 September 2006 5th September 2006 APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE, EUROPE Vodafone Group Plc ("Vodafone Group") today announces that Vittorio Colao willjoin the Board on 9th October 2006 as Chief Executive of Vodafone's Europeanregion. Mr Colao, 44, previously spent a number of years with Vodafone Group in seniormanagement roles. He was Chief Executive of Vodafone Italy and subsequently hadregional responsibility for Southern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He wasa member of the Vodafone Group Board from 2002 to 2004 prior to joining RCSMediaGroup, the Italian publishing and media company, where for the last twoyears he has been Chief Executive. Mr Colao will also succeed Sir Julian Horn-Smith as Deputy Chief Executive. Inthis role he will assist the Chief Executive in external representation, inparticular with political institutions and regulatory bodies. Commenting on his appointment Group Chief Executive, Arun Sarin, said: "I amdelighted to welcome Vittorio back to Vodafone in such an important role in mysenior management team. Vittorio made an outstanding contribution in hisprevious roles at Vodafone and he is a highly effective manager. We have anumber of major challenges and opportunities in our European region and I amconfident that, given his background and experience, Vittorio is well equippedto succeed in this key position. I am very much looking forward to working withhim again". Chairman, Sir John Bond, said: "The appointment of Vittorio Colao is animportant addition to Arun's management team as they continue to execute ourstrategy. I am delighted to welcome Vittorio to the Vodafone Group Board". - ends- For further information: Vodafone Group Investor Relations Media RelationsTel: +44 (0)1635 664447 Tel: +44 (0)1635 664444 Notes for Editors: Vittorio Colao Vittorio Colao spent the early part of his career at McKinsey & Co, where he wasa Partner in the Milan office, working on media, telecommunications andindustrial goods and was responsible for office recruitment. In 1996 he joinedOmnitel Pronto Italia, Italy's second mobile operator which became VodafoneItaly, as Chief Operating Officer. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer in1999. He was then appointed Regional CEO, Southern Europe for Vodafone Group Plcin 2001, became a member of Vodafone Group Plc's Board of Directors in 2002 andwas subsequently appointed to the role of Regional CEO for Southern Europe,Middle East and Africa for Vodafone in 2003. Vittorio then left Vodafone to become Group CEO of RCS MediaGroup, the leadingItalian publishing company, in July 2004. Vittorio is currently a non-executive Director of RAS Insurance in Italy(Allianz Group) and has previously been a non-executive Director and chairman ofthe Remuneration Committee of Finmeccanica. He is also a member of the ExecutiveCommittee of the Aspen Institute, Italy. Vittorio Colao holds a Business Degree from Bocconi University and an MBA withHonours from the Harvard Business School. He is 44 years old. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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