Malawi mobile network operator Telekom Networks Malawi Plc (TNM) has appointed Michiel Buitelaar as the company's chief executive officer.

Buitelaar, currently board member of Novec and Infinitas, takes over from TNM's chief technology officer Eric Valentine.

Valentine has served as acting CEO for the last two years after former CEO Douglas Stevenson left the company to join South Africa's Cell C as its new Chief Operating Officer.

According to a statement issued by Chairman of the company's board of directors George Partridge, Buitelaar's appointment is effective from 1 April 2019.

Partridge emphasised Buitelaar's experience as an executive board member at global media companies Endemol and Sanoma.

"Most recently, Michiel was the Chief Executive Officer of a European AI software provider, CX Company," Partridge added.

TNM states that Buitelaar is a graduate of University of Delft with MSc in applied mathematics as well as business administration from the London Business School. He has worked for KPN, (Ben - now T-Mobile, an affiliate of Deutsche Telekom), Orange, Smile and AT&T.

Market analysts and technology journalist for scidev.net Moses Michael Phiri said since TNM acquired ISP operations of Burco Electronic Systems Limited five years ago, its portfolio has completely changed.

"Buitelaar therefore will fit in just fine because he seems to have done fairly a lot in many aspects," said Phiri.