Cell C has appointed Chris Lazarus as the Chief Officer of Sales, Distribution, and Regions, with direct reporting to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jorge Mendes.
In an announcement, the mobile operator highlighted Mr Lazarus’s extensive background spanning over three decades in financial services and telecommunications, showcasing his wealth of expertise and leadership qualities in his new capacity.
The firm notes Lazarus’s significant roles in various leadership capacities, notably as the Chief Enterprise Officer of Safaricom Ethiopia, where he played a crucial role in establishing the telecommunications business, including the successful launch of the network in 2022, reaching a market of 120 million people, marking a milestone for Vodacom Group’s expansion into Ethiopia.
Before his tenure at Safaricom Ethiopia, Mr Lazarus honed his skills in customer solutions, partner management, product development, go-to-market strategies, and regional operations at Vodacom SA.
Cell C’s trend of appointing former Vodacom executives to executive positions continues with Mr Lazarus. He began at Vodacom overseeing corporate sales, later transitioning to leading key regions such as Gauteng, Limpopo, and eventually KwaZulu-Natal as the Managing Executive.
“Under his leadership, these regions witnessed growth, robust market share, and enhanced customer loyalty,” reports state, adding,”In KwaZulu-Natal, he spearheaded the expansion of network infrastructure, achieving 98% 4G population coverage and launching 5G in 2020, extending initiatives beyond urban to rural areas, fortifying the enterprise business, and broadening the brand’s footprint beyond traditional mobile services.”
Cell C highlights Mr Lazarus’s academic achievements, including an MBA from Henley Business School and completion of the Advanced Executive Programme with the University of South Africa, underscoring his profound understanding of telecoms and commitment to professional excellence.
Mr Lazarus expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Cell C’s dedication to customer-centricity and innovation aligns perfectly with my own professional values. I look forward to leveraging my experience and expertise to drive growth, strengthen partnerships, and enhance regional operations to meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders.”
