MTN Group ‘poaches’ new Board Chairman from Vodafone Group

Following the successful resolution of the Nigerian dispute, MTN Group has completed the review of its governance and management structures in accordance with its undertakings.

MTN Group has made major appointments of new executives and the expansion of the roles of others, together with the appointment of additional non-executive directors. Through this the company seeks to achieve the objective of strengthening management, enhancing governance and aiding strategy in the Group.

The Company Board has resolved to appoint Rob Shuter as the new Group President and CEO. Rob may commence as soon as it is practically possible in 2017 but not later than 1 July 2017 after the completion of his current contractual obligations.

Following his appointment Rob Shuter said, “I am honoured to have the opportunity and look forward to working with Phuthuma and the MTN Group board to ensure that we build on a strong foundation laid over thelast 15 – 20 years for the Group to realise its full potential.”

Rob, a South African national, is the current CEO of the European Cluster at Vodafone Group and has extensive experience in telecoms and banking having held senior management roles at Vodacom Group, Standard Bank and Nedbank prior to joining Vodafone Group.

MTN is confident that Rob will bring experience and new insights to the CEO role having had many years in the telecoms sector both in Africa and Europe as well as in banking where his expertise will help as MTNcontinues to develop its new business strategy.

Previously, Phuthuma Nhleko was the executive chairman of MTN Group. Mr. Nhleko assumed the position of Executive Chairman on 9 November 2015 in order to resolve the very difficult challenges that the company experienced at the time. Given the appointment of Rob Shuter as Group President and CEO, Phuthuma will revert to his role as non executive Chairman as soon as Rob assumes his new position as soon as is practicably possible.

Until then, in order to facilitate a smooth transition MTN Group CFO, Brett Goschen, and the new VPM&A and Strategy, will assume clearly defined additional responsibilities under the guidance of the Executive Chairman. Phuthuma remains fully committed to the MTN Group and will continue to provide the necessary leadership as non-executive chairman for the next two and a half years when he plans to step down as Chairman.

Chairman Phuthuma Nhleko said, “MTN has weathered a rather difficult storm and will continue to review its governance and management operating structure to ensure that it operates at an optimum level and continues to replenish management talent to ensure a sustained growth of the business. I warmly welcome Rob Shuter, the new VP M&A and Strategy, Godfrey Motsa and all the new non executive directors to MTN Group and MTN South Africa. I am confident that with the calibre of Rob Shuter asCEO, the group will resume its path to playing its rightful role in increasing connectivity and accelerating convergence across Africa and the Middle East.”

MTN Group has also appointed a new VP M&A and Strategy effective 1 October 2016. The appointee has a wealth of banking experience. His substantial commercial experience will assist in the formulation of a revised strategy for MTN, particularly in the area of convergence between mobile telephony and financial services. His name will be announced before 30 June 2016.

To enhance further the governance and depth of experience of the business operations, Godfrey Motsa has been appointed by the countries in the SEA Region (excluding South Africa) to oversee the operations in those regions with effect from 1 July 2016.

Godfrey joins from Vodacom where he was Chief Officer for Consumer Business. Godfrey was previously CEO of Vodacom DRC Congo and CEO of Vodacom Lesotho. He brings 10 years of experience of telecoms in the region to MTN.He has various other commercial experience.

Other appointments of additional non executive directors with effective from 1st August 2016

include: Paul Hanratty a veteran of Old Mutual, which he joined in 1984. He is an experienced executive director of a FTSE 100 financial services group with interests insurance, asset management and banking in the UK, US, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Paul has extensive M&A experience in multiple countries, including four insurance acquisitions in Sub Saharan Africa.

Stan Miller currently working with Len Blavatnik in London and Capital Group in New York, Stan is also an executive Chairman for MTS, their telecommunications conglomerate which covers investments in multiple emerging countries.

Stan has extensive commercial experience, having spent nearly 20 years as a divisional Chief Executive with standalone responsibility, latterly as Chief Executive Officer of International for KPN. Stan has successfully expanded the KPN through a number of MVNOs.

At KPN he was responsible for its mobile activities in Germany, Belgium and abroad. He also served as Chairman of E-Plus and BASE where he introduced a strategy that changed the business model, creating significant value of over Euro 7bn for KPN for its shareholders.

Sitting in the Board also is Nkuleko Nkunku Sowazi. He joined Kagiso Trust, then the Urban Development Trust, before joining Tiso and setting up his own fund. Thereafter, he led the merger with Kagiso Trust to form KTH.

MTN has also announced the appointment to the board of MTN South Africa, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN :-Mike Harper, Lerato Phalatse, Mike Bosman and Trudy Makhaya. The extensive commercial experience of these additional directors will greatly benefit MTN South Africa.