It is no easy task being the chief executive of a major telecoms operator, and invariably the press is quick to jump on these otherwise worthy leaders whenever something goes wrong.
Thus, every year Total Telecom aims to redress the balance. The finale of the annual World Communication Awards sees us hand a trophy to the CEO of the Year, as voted for by our readers.
In 2014 the coveted title went to Softbank’s Masayoshi Son, who attracted the most votes due in no small part to the growth his company has experienced under his leadership in recent years, including but not limited to the acquisition of U.S. operator Sprint in mid-2013.
It is up to you, Total Telecom readers, to decide who will take the crown at the 2015 World Communication Awards, due to take place amidst much fanfare at Wembley stadium on 1 December. We have whittled down dozens of nominations to produce a shortlist of 12 and added a few words to refresh your memory on the recent achievements of all of the candidates.
For the first time this year we have included quotes from some of the people that nominated our shortlisted CEOs, many of whom are their employees. So read on to see what they have to say, then cast your vote!
Bob Collymore
Safaricom
Bob Collymore took the helm at Kenyan mobile operator Safaricom on 1 Nov ember 2010, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the telecoms and retail industries in Africa, Asia and Europe, his previous employers including Vodacom, Vodafone, BT and Dixons.
Under his leadership the telco has doubled its revenues and earnings, and increased its customer base to 22.35 million at the end of March 2015, bringing mobile services to more people in Kenya. Safaricom also serves 13.86 million active users of M-Pesa, the mobile money service launched by parent company Vodafone, boosting financial inclusion in the country.
"He has created and overseen policies in the telecommunication industry in Kenya making Safaricom the best service provider in East and Central Africa. This has seen the company dominate in almost all spheres including innovation and creativity, [and] customer satisfaction."
Johan Dennelind
TeliaSonera
Johan Dennelind joined TeliaSonera from Vodacom in mid-2013 charged with giving the Nordic operator a fresh start following the Uzbekistan corruption scandal that led to the departure of his predecessor.
He oversees TeliaSonera’s operations in 17 markets, all with very different dynamics, from Nepal where NCell is enjoying strong growth, via multiple challenges in Eurasia, to the more mature markets of Western Europe. Highlights of his tenure include the acquisition of Tele2 in Norway and a desire to explore new areas, including the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital content.
"[He is] a visionary that has changed the course of our company during last two years. Under his leadership our company has taken many step to become a new telco with the customer in focus."
Ahmad Hanandeh
Zain Jordan
Ahmad Hanandeh became chief executive of Zain Jordan in July 2011, having been with the Zain group for just a few months. He brought with him experience from the logistics sector, having previously worked for PostaPlus and Aramex.
Under his leadership Zain launched Jordan’s first LTE network in February 2015 and six months later took 4G inside the car, with the introduction of its Car-Fi service. The telco is making headway in the M2M space, focusing on the logistics and vehicle-tracking sectors. Zain Jordan claimed a total of 3.93 million mobile customers in mid-2015. It has also rolled out fibre-to-the-home (FTTH).
"Ahmad Hanandeh is the most dedicated CEO of all time. He is always there for the employees to help, listen and take action."
Jeffrey Hedberg
Mobilink
Pakistan’s Mobilink named Jeffrey Hedberg as its new leader in July 2014, highlighting his experience in emerging market telecoms; he previously held senior roles at South Africa’s Telkom, Multi-links in Nigeria, and Cell C.
After a year in the job, Hedberg has made his presence felt. Mobilink leads the Pakistan mobile market with a 29% share as of July 2015, according the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and is in second place in the country’s nascent 3G/4G market with a 27% share; it launched 3G services last summer after winning its licence in April 2014.
"In this short span of time he has brought Mobilink back from a challenging market position to being a market leader in the recent cou ntry wide subscriber re-verification drive…He has not only inspired employees by his little acts of kindness, [and] interactions, but he has given [the] company vision, strategy and fervour."
Timotheus Hoettges
Deutsche Telekom, CEO
Timotheus Hoettges leads close to 228,000 employees at Deutsche Telekom group, the largest company on this year’s short list by revenues. The German operator posted turnover of €62.7 billion last year and has more than 150 million mobile customers across Europe and the U.S., as well as sizeable fixed line and broadband businesses in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
Hoettges took on the challenge of leading this giant at the start of 2014, having joined the group well over a decade earlier. He has since presided over a series of financial results announcements that show modest revenue growth in Deutsche Telekom’s home market, as well as strength at T-Mobile US, which became the third largest mobile operator in the U.S. in Q2.
"[He is] investing in fixed and mobile networks, delivering a base for the future in 4G and 5G networks."
Ahmad Julfar
Etisalat
An Etisalat veteran, Ahmad Julfar was promoted to the role of group CEO at the United Arab Emirates-based telco in 2011, having spent five years as its operating chief and prior to that held other positions in the group.
The telco serves 173 million customers, as of the end of the first quarter, across 19 markets in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. It has made much of its plans to roll out fibre and advanced mobile services in many of its markets. In 2014 Etisalat broadened its footprint through the acquisition of a 53% stake in Maroc Telecom.
"A reflection of his drive and determination is not resting on success, but to seek further progress through innovative solutions, like 5G."
Karim Khoja
Roshan
Karim Khoja has served as chief executive officer of Afghanistan’s Roshan since its inception in 2003 with the goal of providing connectivity in a country in which telecoms infrastructure was virtually non-existent.
Over the past 12 years Khoja has built up the business, despite a highly challenging operating environment. Roshan has 6.5 million customers, and around 1,200 employees. It also offers a range of services designed to improve the lives of Afghans, including mobile banking and healthcare.
"His unwavering commitment to social and economic development, the empowerment of women and social good in a war-torn country beleaguered by corruption, security threats and systemic economic challenges is profoundly influencing the next generation of Afghan business leaders and young entrepreneurs."
Dominique Leroy
Proximus
The only woman on this year’s CEO of the Year shortlist, Dominique Leroy became CEO of Proximus, then known as Belgacom, at the start of 2014. She joined the company from Unilever in 2011. The Belgian incumbent dropped its legacy brand in favour of Proximus &nd ash; the name of its mobile unit – this year.
The telco posted revenue and EBITDA growth in the most recent quarter to the end of June, thanks to a strong performance at its mobile business and a revenue increase on the fixed side of the business, which includes TV.
"She did a full turnaround of the company: brought it back to growth, did a full rebranding, changed the name, the culture and brought pride to its employees. She has the energy of a nuclear plant and is loved by all stakeholders."
Douglas Mboweni
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe
Douglas Mboweni joined Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 1996 and took on the CEO role in 2002, making him one of the longest-serving chief executives on this year’s CEO of the Year shortlist. Econet Wireless has 9million customers in Zimbabwe, which it claims equates to a 65.3% market share.
Under Mboweni’s leadership, Econet has rolled out a raft of mobile services designed to improve the lives of its customers, including mobile money, insurance, healthcare, education and connected car services. The chief executive is also credited with a cost-cutting programme that the company says has restored stability to its business.
"Has been spearheading innovation in the development of new products which include Ecohealth, EcoFarmer, and dial a doctor."
Nasser Marafih
Ooredoo
Since 2006 Dr Nasser Marafih has served as CEO of Ooredoo. The firm was still known as Qatar Telecom when Marafih arr ived as director for strategic planning in 1994, but 19 years later it began a radical rebranding exercise in its home market and across its diverse subsidiaries.
Marafih has overseen significant growth at the telco during his time in charge: the Ooredoo group serves 114 million customers in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, compared with less than 2 million in 2006. Recent highlights include the launch of mobile services in Myanmar in August 2014 and the development of a business services arm, Ooredoo Business.
"Dr. Nasser has spearheaded Ooredoo’s global expansion. He has built Qatar’s national carrier into a truly international company with operations in 14 countries and an increasingly diversified revenue base…Under his direction Ooredoo strives to use mobile technology to enhance people’s lives."
Napoleon Nazareno
Smart Communications
Having been CEO of Philippines mobile operator Smart since 2000 – and chief executive if its parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) since 2004 – Napoleon Nazareno is the longest-serving leader on this year’s CEO of the Year shortlist.
Nazareno heads up a company that aims to extend mobile data services to the masses through innovative tariff plans and digital content, gaming and music services. It has also rolled out a range of mobile payment services.
"Under his leadership, Smart offered free Internet for five months to give the price-conscious Philippine market an opportunity to enjoy the Internet’s benefits. Once the promo ended, Smart monetised data by bundling 30 MB of free Internet per day with affordable prepaid voice and SMS packages…The risky gambit paid off. Mobile data usage in the Smart network increased by 188% from Q1 2014 to Q1 2015. Mobile Internet revenues rose by 19% to 2.2 billion pesos."
Cengiz Oztelcan
Turk Telekom International
Cengiz Oztelcan has been CEO of Turk Telekom International since mid-2013, having been with the Turk Telekom group since 2010. His previous employers include Intel and Boeing.
Turk Telekom International provides connectivity and services to telecoms and cable operators, ISPs and corporate customers in Central and Eastern Europe. Recent developments include its role in the Alternative Middle East & European Route (AMEER) project, which provides a new terrestrial route between Europe and the Middle East, avoiding the Suez Canal.
"Cengiz Oztelcan…set a new path for the company and the industry by sensing valuable business opportunities in the region, by thinking several steps ahead and making the right strategic moves in 2015… He is a master in keeping his team motivated towards the continued success of the company, and keeping the energy levels up. By doing this, he maintains the office mood in a fine balance between productivity and playfulness."
