Vodafone Europe chief Philipp Humm out in leadership streamlining by Vittorio Colao
Vodafone Europe chief executive Philipp Humm is out after a streamlining of the mobile operator's leadership by top boss Vittorio Colao.
"These changes will simplify and streamline the management of our largest European markets and accelerate our strategic plans in those countries as convergence gathers pace and our Project Spring organic investment programme and focus on efficiency deliver visible results," said Colao.
The bosses of the UK, Spain, Italy and Germany will now report directly to Colao and become members of the executive committee, as will Vodafone Netherlands boss Rob Shuter, who will also run the smaller European markets.
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That's a promotion for country bosses – Jeroen Hoencamp in the UK, Hannes Ametsreite in Germany, Aldo Bisio in Italy, and Antonio Coimbra in Spain – who will take on the elevated positions from 1 October.
Humm, a former chief of T-Mobile in the US, will "pursue his career ambitions outside Vodafone", Colao said.
Vodafone, currently the world's second-largest mobile operator, has been in talks with Liberty Global over a potential asset swap, but has ruled out a merger. The tie-up would likely secure Vodafone's position in the face of increasing competition which could push it into third position.