Orange initiates post-Covid strategy with exec committee appointments
Appointments

Orange initiates post-Covid strategy with exec committee appointments

Stéphane Richard Orange.jpg

Orange CEO Stéphane Richard has confirmed eight changes to the group’s executive committee, intended to help Orange “exit the health crisis in the best conditions”. Seven other positions remain unchanged.

Changes under the Engage2025 strategic plan include roles that will renew focus on upcoming technologies such as AI, data and 5G, and defining “the company of tomorrow” in a post-pandemic world.

The shakeup will later see the appointments of new CEOs for Orange Belgium and Orange Poland by the end of June, after Michaël Trabbia moved into a new role on the executive committee and Jean-François Fallacher moved to Orange Spain as CEO. Fallacher has also been appointed associate member of the executive committee.

Richard (pictured) said: “The months ahead include some uncertainties but also real opportunities, whether that means accelerating digital transformation, making further technological progress in 5G, network function virtualisation, cloud, edge, or taking advantage of developments specific to our telecoms sector.  

“We are actively preparing to detect and where possible seize these opportunities. We need to accelerate and shorten our reaction and decision times so that we can confront with confidence the profound changes brought about by the global epidemic,” he added.

Effective 1 September:

  • Ramon Fernandez, delegate CEO, becomes executive director finance, performance and development. Orange said that, in the context of the global economic crisis, he will be responsible for preserving the group’s financial position while overseeing flagship projects to take Orange into the future.

  • Gervais Pellissier, delegate CEO, becomes executive director of HR and group transformation. Key responsibilities will include defining “the company of tomorrow” and tackling the skills challenge.

  • Mari-Noëlle Jégo-Laveissière, deputy CEO, will oversee Orange’s European operational activities outside France, focused in particular on the roll out of 5G and fibre.

  • Michaël Trabbia will join the executive committee to in the role of chief technology and innovation officer for the group, overseeing the technology and global innovation division. His role will be “to seize the opportunities presented by upcoming technologies such as AI, data and 5G and to set-up the group as a major player in the new innovation ecosystem”.

  • Béatrice Mandine will have an expanded role as executive director communications, engagement and brand. One of her key priorities will be to accelerate the brand strategy and oversee the “Orange purpose”.

  • Elisabeth Tchoungui will become the new executive director CSR, diversity and philanthropy. In particular, she will oversee Orange’s social responsibility policy in line with the objectives of the Engage2025 strategic plan. She will also take on the role of deputy chair for the Orange Foundation.

  • Finally, in addition to his current role as deputy financial director, Jérémie Dutray will take on the additional responsibility for transforming the mobile infrastructure operational model, as announced in the Engage2025 strategic plan.

 

Richard added: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Laurent Paillassot for his valuable service as CEO of Orange Spain in making it the number two player and Valérie Le Boulanger for her hard work and efforts as HR Executive Director, especially during the health crisis. Both will pursue other opportunities outside the Group. I’m also extremely grateful to Christine Albanel, who is leaving office after 10 years at Orange. Her unmatched experience in public affairs, especially in the field of culture, and her sensitivity to social issues, have greatly contributed to the Group’s influence in France and around the world.”  

 

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