Embattled telecoms operator Neotel has lost two senior managers, amid what insiders are referring to as renewed tension within the organisation's management team.
The exiting executives are Nadia Bulbulia, Neotel's newly-appointed corporate communications and brand general manager; and Thursten James, executive head of the operator's consumer business unit.
Bulbulia, who joined Neotel's leadership team a little over two months ago, is best-known for her stints as councillor for the Independent Communications Authority of SA, as well as its predecessor, the Independent Broadcasting Authority. She has been focused on the ICT and media industries since 1994 and her resume includes employment at both Vodacom and Cell C. Bulbulia was one of three executives selected by president Jacob Zuma early last year to join the board of the Media Development and Diversity Agency. This term ends in 2014.
James has been at SA's second national operator since September 2009. Initially executive head of customer services, James has led Neotel's heightened focus on the consumer market segment for the last year. This included overseeing sales, marketing, product development, customer services, networks and finance.
Neotel confirmed the resignations, but brushed aside allegations of tension at its management level. Instead, the organisation says the resignations are a product of normal employee movements experienced by organisations worldwide.
“Bulbulia's husband works in the Middle East and has received a contract that enables his family to join him. James has resigned to pursue his dream of starting his own business,” the operator says.Sources within and close to the company, however, beg to differ. Instead, many say the atmosphere is reminiscent of that experienced last year during the company's realignment process.
This realignment saw then CEO and MD Ajay Pandey, as well as right-hand-man Mukul Sharma return to India.
It also resulted in several high-level resignations, including chief marketing officer Jacky Humphries; HR managing executive Siphiwe Ndwalaza; head of corporate communications Wandile Zote; and regulatory council Mike Silber.
Like then, more resignations are expected to follow, says one source. “This is the last month of the financial year and the pressure is on. Everyone is tense at the moment, but particularly among the senior and middle management levels.”
Another source, who fears the repercussions of being named, says it is widely understood the company will not meet its downward revised targets for the year. “There is much talk that we will miss the targets by as much as 20%. People are worried about how this is going to impact on the organisation and employees.”
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