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LONDON, May 22 (Reuters) - Vodafone, the world's
second-biggest mobile operator, has recruited Jean-Francois Van
Boxmeer, the current CEO of brewer Heineken, to
succeed Gerard Kleisterlee as chairman from November this year.
The British company said Van Boxmeer, a Belgian, will join
as a non-executive director on July 28.
He has been Heineken's CEO since 2005, presiding over a
nearly threefold increase in its share price through a
combination of strategic transactions and organic growth. He
will hand over the role to Asia-Pacific chief, Dolf van den
Brink, in June.
Van Boxmeer "is a very experienced businessman, with an
in-depth knowledge of our geographic regions and he brings very
strong sales and customer focus," said Kleisterlee, who has been
Vodafone's chairman for nine years.
"I am greatly looking forward to working with (CEO) Nick
(Read) and the executive team to drive forward Vodafone's
strategy, ensuring that we create significant value for all
stakeholders," Van Boxmeer said.
Earlier this month Vodafone reported a 2.6% rise in
full-year core earnings and maintained its dividend, bucking a
corporate trend to cut or scrap payouts due to the coronavirus
crisis.
Shares in Vodafone, down 12% so far in 2020, closed Thursday
at 129 pence, valuing the business at 34.5 billion pounds
($42.1 billion).
($1 = 0.8195 pounds)
(Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young and Paul
Sandle)
