Vivek Badrinath quits Nokia after being appointed CEO for Vodafone’s AMEA region

Vivek Badrinath has stepped down from the Nokia Board of Directors effective immediately due to his appointment as Chief Executive for Vodafone’s Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific region.

This announcement was made today by Nokia via their website, where they also announced the composition of its new board.

“Vivek Badrinath has informed that he will step down from the Nokia Board of Directors effective immediately due to his appointment as Chief Executive for Vodafone’s Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific region,” the announcement read.

“Following the announcement, Nokia’s Board of Directors will consist of the following eight (8) members for a term ending at the close of the Annual General Meeting in 2017: Risto Siilasmaa (Chairman), Olivier Piou (Vice Chairman), Bruce Brown, Louis R. Hughes, Jean C. Monty, Elizabeth Nelson, Carla Smits-Nusteling and Kari Stadigh.” It continued.

Vodafone announced the appointment of Vivek Badrinath as Chief Executive for the Group’s Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific (AMAP) region today. Vivek Badrinath replaced Serpil Timuray who was appointed as Chief Commercial Operations and Strategy Officer.

 The appointments are effective 15 October. Serpil Timuray will remain on the Group Executive Committee and Vivek Badrinath will join the Committee. Both will report to Vodafone Group Chief Executive Vittorio Colao.

Vivek Badrinath joins Vodafone Group from the international hospitality group AccorHotels where he is the Deputy Chief Executive responsible for marketing, digital solutions, distribution and information systems. He was previously Deputy Chief Executive with Orange and has a long career in telecommunications and technology. Prior roles include Executive Director responsible for Orange’s Business Services division, leadership of Orange’s global networks and operators division and Chief Technology Officer for Orange’s mobile activities. He is a former Chief Executive of the consumer electronics firm Thomson India.

Serpil Timuray has been Chief Executive of the AMAP region and a member of the Group Executive Committee since January 2014. She joined Vodafone as Chief Executive of Vodafone Turkey in January 2009 and was previously General Manager of Danone Turkey from 2002-2008. She began her career in 1991 in marketing at Procter & Gamble where she was later appointed to the Executive Committee of Procter & Gamble Turkey.

Vodafone Group Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said: “Serpil combines a deep background in brand, marketing and commercial strategies with proven operational leadership across the fastest-growing markets in Vodafone’s portfolio. Vivek has extensive telecoms and technology leadership experience coupled with a strong track record in emerging markets. I am delighted to appoint Serpil to her new role and to welcome Vivek to Vodafone.”