MTN Group lives up to their promise to shareholders in appointment of executives

Jens Schulte-Bockum will assume the position of Group Chief Operating Officer, effective 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.

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.

Bernice Samuels has re-joined MTN 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.

Phuthuma Nhleko – Executive Chairman said – “These senior management appointments bring to finality the management aspect of a large scale transformation and operational review process which I am confident 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.I would like to thank Jyoti Desai for her contribution and the many roles she played during her tenure at MTN.”

Ralph Mupita was appointed Group Chief Financial Officer (“Group CFO”) andExecutive Director of MTN Group, with effect from 3 April 2017 and Gunter Engling who is the current Acting Group CFO, will assume the position of Deputy Chief Financial Officer, with effect from 3 April 2017.Stephen van Coller as Vice President of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions, effective 1 October 2016. Stephen will be the fourth Vice President of the Group, the other three having responsibility for the geographic operating regions of MTN.