News
Russian operator looks to reinvent itself as a digital business, also appoints new emerging markets head.
Vimpelcom this week appointed Christopher Schlaeffer as its chief digital officer, timing the announcement to coincide with the opening of its new global Digital division in London.
Schlaeffer most recently served as founder and CEO of two technology start-ups in Berlin and London, but prior to that spent 12 years at Deutsche Telekom with various job titles including chief product and innovation officer, corporate development officer, chief strategy officer, and chief marketing officer for the telco’s mobile division.
His new role, effective on Sunday, means he will be responsible for managing Vimpelcom’s progress in the digital world, supporting the development of new services and leading its commercial functions, the Russian telco said.
"His extensive industry expertise and entrepreneurial experience will make a significant contribution to our transformation programme to reinvent Vimpelcom and we look forward to having him on the team," said Vimpelcom CEO Jean-Yves Charlier, in a statement.
"Christopher’s arrival has been strategically timed with the opening of our new global Digital division in London, which will focus on digital development and innovation for the Vimpelcom group," Charlier said.
Schlaeffer said he is looking forward to joining the company.
"Vimpelcom’s footprint across the emerging markets has access to so much untapped potential and digital brings tremendous opportunity to impact the lives of consumers in these markets," he said. "We have exciting possibilities ahead to bring innovative new products and services to 10% of the world’s consumers, across the countries in which Vimpelcom operates."
Speaking of emerging markets, the news of Schlaeffer’s appointment came just three days after Vimpelcom named Jon Eddy as its head of emerging markets.
Eddy will take charge of Vimpelcom’s operations in Algeria, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He joins the company from Telenor-owned DTAC in Thailand, having served as CEO.
"Jon’s appointment follows the recent appointments of Erik Aas as the new CEO of Bangladesh and Alexandr Komarov as the new CEO of Kazakhstan and represents another milestone in the strengthening of Vimpelcom’s senior leadership team," the Russian operator said.
