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(Alliance News) - Vodafone Group PLC on Friday said it has hired Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer as a non-executive director effective from July 28, saying he will succeed Gerard Kleisterlee as chair from November 3.
Kleisterlee became chair of the FTSE 100-listed telecommunications firm in July 2011.
Van Boxmeer is currently chief executive of brewer Heineken NV, a role he has held since 2005 and will step down from in June. He is also a director of US snack company Mondelez International Inc.
"I am delighted that Jean-Francois will be joining Vodafone and becoming Gerard's successor. He has presided over a highly successful period of transformation and value creation at Heineken, has extensive international experience in driving growth through both B2B and B2C business models, and is highly-regarded as one of the longest standing and most successful CEOs in Europe. I look forward to Jean-Francois playing a key role in the next stage of Vodafone's strategic development, said Vodafone Chief Executive Nick Read.
"On behalf of the board, and everyone at Vodafone, I would like to thank Gerard personally for his substantial contribution to the company since he became our chair nine years ago. We have all benefited considerably from his leadership, experience and wise counsel during a period of significant strategic transformation," Read added.
Vodafone shares were trading 1.0% lower at 127.52 pence each on Friday morning in London.
By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com
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