Following what has been described as “intense deliberations”, Neotel's board has approved a new strategy and structure for top-level executives.
In a message to employees, outgoing CEO and MD Ajay Pandey announced the executive appointments, as well as the relevant areas of responsibility.
Earlier this week, Neotel staff told ITWeb they were stunned and scared at the high-profile executive resignations announced on Monday.
This saw two Neotel executives exiting: chief marketing officer Jacky Humphries and HR managing executive Siphiwe Ndwalaza. At senior management level, Pandey's right-hand man, Mukul Sharma, joined long-time suspended head of corporate communications Wandile Zote and regulatory council Mike Silber in new year resignations.
Although far from cheerful, Neotel employees say they are relieved the executive leadership team has been pulled together.
From the top
Tracy Cohen, formerly regulatory managing executive, takes the chief corporate services officer post. In this role, Cohen will oversee the regulatory, corporate social investment and black economic empowerment, HR, legal and contracts, IT governance and security and admin departments.
Stefano Mattiello has been given the organisation's marketing function in place of customer services. His new title of chief sales and marketing officer incorporates product management, business operations and the consumer unit.
Pravir Dahiya picks up the customer services portfolio, and is now chief networks and customer services officer.
Formerly managing executive of legal and secretariat, Calvin Theko will now focus his attention on his role as company secretary.
Recently recruited from MTN, chief information officer Phinda Ncala retains his post, as does CFO Anil Khandelwal.
Speeding ahead
Pandey told employees that the confirmation of the executive team enabled it to move forward “swiftly” with the finalisation of the company's realignment. Attention is currently focused on “finalising and appointing” the next level of senior management, he said. Neotel aims to finalise these positions by Sunday, 6 February.
“As soon as this level of senior management is appointed, all attention will be focused on designing the detailed structures for the rest of the company; the deadline [for this] is the 20th February 2011. We will proceed with the population of the remaining structures in the month of March in line with the selection criteria as proposed and consulted in January, with all employees,” wrote Pandey.
Pandey reminded employees that the organisational realignment strategy aims to sharpen Neotel's strategy, optimise its performance and ensure competitiveness in the local market.
“It is in our mutual interest to take this process forward and bring it to a speedy completion so that we can focus on driving Neotel towards the goal of being a truly competitive telecoms operator in the South African and sub-Saharan economy,” he concluded.
Neotel declined to comment this morning.
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