The Board of Directors of integrated telecommunications solutions provider Orange – Telkom Kenya has announced the appointment of Vincent Lobry as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer effective September 4, 2014. Vincent replaces Mickael Ghossein, who has been appointed Senior Vice President of Orange Business Services – Middle East.
Making the announcement of the new Chief Executive, the Chair of the company’s Board, Eddy Njoroge, confirmed the Board’s confidence in the appointment of Mr. Lobry, who will be charged with the responsibility of building on the gains made during Mickael’s tenure.
“We appreciate the strategic effort put by Mickael, enabling the business to streamline its operations thereby offering products and solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the market. We are assured of a similar approach with the appointment of Vincent Lobry, even as the industry prepares for more competition,” says Mr. Njoroge.
Vincent Lobry, the incoming CEO, has 35 years experience in the Telecommunications sector with a focus on Sales and Marketing. He has risen through the ranks at the Orange Group to become Vice President – Commercial of Orange in Spain in 1998, the Senior Vice President of Orange France in charge of Mass Market Marketing (Fixed, Broadband and Mobile) in 2003 and to his most recent posting as the Senior Executive Vice President of Orange Polska (Poland) in charge of Strategy, Marketing, Convergence and Value Creation since October 2009, a position that also saw him sit on the company’s board.
While at Orange Polska, Vincent was part of the Management Team that maintained this affiliate, the largest Polish telecom operator, at an annual € 3 Billion revenue. He was also instrumental in the successful maintenance of the market share(s) and profitability ratings of the company by way of converged offers touching on fixed and mobile as well as other strategic business solutions.
Mickael’s departure comes at a time when the company is witnessing a turn around. It posted an 8% revenue growth for the overall business for the first half of this year, compared to the same period last year. This was as a result of the major investments made under Mickael’s watch, enabling the company better compete in the market as well as offer quality service and customer experience leading to better retention.
“We are indeed positive of the trend that the business has shown in the first half of this year and our long term investment strategy is beginning to pay off as we remain focused on its longevity,” says Ghossein, the outgoing CEO.
The company’s EBITDA also went up by 7.7 points, a clear indication of a positive trend in its growth trajectory. The company also embarked on a transformational programme in 2013, to replace transport copper cabling with fibre infrastructure, enhancing network reliability and improving efficiency leading to growth in market share. The company has now also connected 35 counties to its countrywide network and recorded a combined 34% growth in mobile voice and data, in H1, 2014, after an additional investment in its 3G mobile network across the country.
Moreover, the industry regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya has, for two consecutive years, recognised the company’s GSM network as the best in the country; based on a defined set of assessment parameters. In addition, the company’s Customer Care function has also been revamped; enabling it to better serve its customers, thereby ensuring faster feedback and better retention.
