Vincent Lobry is the new Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective September 4, 2014.
Vincent replaces Mickael Ghossein, who has been appointed Senior Vice President of Orange Business Services – Middle East.
The announcement was made by the company’s Board of Directors where 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 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.