Vodafone promotes Egypt CEO to head European markets

Vodafone Group has named Ahmed Essam, CEO of Vodafone Egypt, as chief executive overseeing its smaller European markets. This includes Albania, Czech Republic, Greece, Ireland, Hungary, Malta, Portugal and Romania as well as Vodafone's interest in the proposed Netherlands joint venture with Liberty Global. He takes over the position on the Group Executive Committee from Rob Shuter, the CEO of Vodafone Netherlands who is leaving the group to join MTN. Essam will be succeeded as Vodafone Egypt CEO by Stefano Gestaut, the chief executive of Vodafone's Partner Markets business.


Essam was appointed CEO of Vodafone Egypt in July 2014. He was previously the Commercial Director for Vodafone's Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific region and has held a number of senior roles within Vodafone's Group Commercial function. He joined Vodafone Egypt in 1999 and served in a number of local market senior leadership roles including Consumer Business Director and Customer Care Director.