Anne Bouverot has resigned as director general of the GSMA to become chief executive of security specialist Morpho.
The mobile industry body announced on Wednesday that Bouverot will remain with the GSMA until 31 July. It has begun the search for her successor.
Bouverot joined the GSMA in 2011, succeeding the late Rob Conway. She previously served as executive vice president of Orange’s mobile services business.
"Anne has made [a] significant impact during her tenure with the GSMA, building a stronger organisation focused on our industry’s priorities and advocating effectively on behalf of mobile operators across the globe," said Jon Fredrik Baksaas, Telenor CEO and chairman of the GSMA.
"We are naturally disappointed that Anne has decided to move on to a new opportunity, but we wish her every success as she takes this next exciting step in her career," he said.
Bouverot thanked the GSMA board, its members and staff for their support during her tenure.
"I am very proud of the progress that the GSMA has made in aligning with our members around key industry initiatives, driving forward important advocacy programmes and convening the broad mobile communications ecosystem at leading events such as Mobile World Congress," she said.
Doubtless the timing of her departure had something to do with the latter. Mobile World Congress 2015 drew to a close less than a fortnight ago.
Bouverot will become chairman and CEO Of Morpho, effective 1 August, replacing Philippe Petitcolin, who will move up to become chief executive of parent company Safran.
&q uot;Anne Bouverot brings to Morpho her very solid experience in the very dynamic and selective field of information technologies," said Petitcolin, in a statement.
