JSE-listed cellular operator MTN Group has appointed three people to senior positions within the group, in a move its CEO says will enhance the quality of its leadership.
In an announcement yesterday, the group said it had appointed Tim Lowry as VP of its Southern and East Africa region and MD of MTN SA, with effect from 1 June. The local job was temporarily filled by Brian Gouldie, MTN SA's executive of the consumer business unit, following the abrupt departure of Maanda Manyatshe, in November last year.
Lowry is understood to have more than 30 years experience in the telecoms industry. Most recently, he was France Telecom's VP for Western Europe and, prior to that, Lowry served as Orange/France Telecom's VP for mergers and acquisitions. He also spent 10 years with Cable & Wireless, in Africa, the Middle East, Australia and Europe.
The second person to be appointed is Khumo Shuenyane, who takes on the role of MTN Group executive of mergers and acquisitions on 1 June. Currently, Shuenyane is head of direct investments and a member of the executive committee of Investec's South African operations.
Prior to this, Shuenyane was a member of Investec's corporate finance division for eight years, where he was responsible for initiating and executing advisory mandates in a range of corporate finance areas, including mergers and acquisitions, privatisations, restructurings, capital raising and black economic empowerment transactions.
As of 2 May, MTN says ex-foreign affairs deputy director-general Nozipho January-Bardill has taken the role of MTN Group executive of corporate affairs and MTN Group spokesperson. In her foreign affairs role, she headed up human resources and led the Foreign Service Institute. She was also SA's ambassador to Switzerland from 2001 to 2005.
Additionally, says the group, January-Bardill has served on the boards of FirstRand Insurance (Momentum) and Southern Life Insurance Companies, among a number of other boards and commissions.
Phuthuma Nhleko, MTN Group president and CEO, concluded: "I am very excited to have people of this calibre and experience as part of our team and I am confident that their valuable contribution will greatly enhance the quality of MTN leadership."
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