MTN Group has announced several new executive appointments, including the appointment of Charles Molapisi as chief technology and information officer.

In a statement, MTN says Molapisi's appointment, which is effective 1 January 2019, follows Babak Fouladi's resignation from the company to take up another opportunity in Europe.

The group describes Molapisi as a seasoned professional with more than 16 years of experience in both fixed and mobile telephony. He worked for Telkom and Liberty Life prior to joining MTN, and held various senior management positions in MTN Nigeria, including that of CIO.

His current role is that of CEO of MTN Zambia where his championing of a pro-customer positioning resulted in the company leading all competitors in customer experience metrics, says MTN in the statement.

Molapisi is a graduate of the University of South Africa, where he obtained a Master's Degree in Business Leadership. He also holds a post-graduate Diploma in Business Management from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Additionally, he has completed courses on strategy and talent with Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School and the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland,

According to the statement, in light of Molapisi's move to MTN Group, former MTN Cyprus CEO, Philip van Dalsen, has been appointed MTN Zambia CEO. Van Dalsen will also take up his new role on 1 January 2019.

Nikos Angelopoulos recently joined MTN as group CIO, accountable for information technology design and delivery. In his role, he is responsible for managing and maintaining the standard IT architecture across the group, and, in line with the strategy, ensure that the company leads innovation and customer experience.

MTN says Angelopoulos has 25 years of experience in management consulting and working for telecommunications service providers. He started his career with Accenture in the UK where he spent 15 years helping clients in different industries to start their digital journeys. His first engagements were in the financial services industry where he worked on the digital transformation of the London Stock Exchange. He later moved to telecommunications, working with cable operators and telcos in Europe, Asia and the United States focussing on launching digital television platforms and services.

After Accenture, Angelopoulos joined Vodafone where he held various senior management positions including CIO for Vodafone Italy and South Europe region and member of the Group IT Board. He joins MTN from UAE's Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company where he was the executive vice president for IT and product engineering.

Angelopoulos holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Athens and Master of Science Degree in Digital Communications and Signal Processing from Imperial College, University of London. He also has an executive MBA from London Business School.

The JSE-listed group has also appointed David Gilarranz as the CEO for MTN Digital.

MTN says Gilarranz is a seasoned leader with more than 28 years of experience in telecommunications and digital services. He spent his early career in companies such as Verizon and Convergys, in strategic planning and sales management, and later co-founded the company Cyclelogic, one of America's early movers in the texting and mobile Internet services space. Gilarranz joined MTN from Millicom where he was the VP for digital and innovation. The recent Simfy acquisition will report directly to him as part of his portfolio.

A graduate of Stanford University Graduate School, Gilarranz has completed an executive leadership programme with Stanford University Graduate School of Business, USA, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management from Universidad Metropolitana (Metropolitan University) in Venezuela.

Motselisi Molapo, who takes up the position of new executive for group internal audit and forensics, will join MTN on 14 January 2019 from Liberty Holdings, where she was the chief audit executive reporting to the audit committee. Prior to this, she held senior roles at AngloGold Ashanti and PwC. She has more than 18 years of experience in the audit environment across multiple industries, having worked in South Africa and the USA.

Molapo is a chartered accountant and has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours Degree from the University of Natal and a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Commercial Law Degree from Rhodes University.

In her new role, Molapo will be responsible for delivering independent third line assurance to the MTN group executives and board, focusing on the adequacy and effectiveness of the group's governance, risk management and system of internal control.

Nompilo Morafo has been appointed as executive for group corporate services and sustainability, effective 1 February 2019. Morafo joins MTN from LafargeHolcim, where she was the country director for communications and public affairs. Prior to joining LafargeHolcim, she held the role of VP for country management and public affairs for Sasol's international exploration and production. In her new role she will be responsible for managing MTN's reputation in the marketplace, through the coordination of the corporate communication, public affairs, sustainability, events and sponsorship, and corporate social investment functions across the company's footprint.

She holds a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Business Communication from Tshwane University of Technology, a National Diploma in Business Communication from Pretoria Technikon and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Henley Business School.

Commenting on the appointments, MTN Group president and CEO, Rob Shuter says, "Charles, Nikos, David, Motselisi and Nompilo bring valuable skills and experience to their new roles, which will stand them in good stead to lead their respective business units and support the delivery of our BRIGHT strategy."