Mobile operator MTN has announced the appointment of Stephen van Coller as VP of Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions, effective 1 October 2016.

Van Coller is the Group's fourth VP, and the company expects to announce a Deputy Head of Mergers & Acquisitions shortly.

In an overview of van Coller's career, MTN explains that the company's latest appointee has over two decades of experience in Financial Services, 10 years at Deutsche Bank (DB) from 1996 as a Managing Director of Investment Banking, an executive committee member and foundation trustee for DB in South Africa.

"The last 10 years were at Barclays Africa Group where he has held the positions of head of Primary Markets: Absa Capital, and more recently CEO of the Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB), overseeing over R250 billion in assets spanned across 13 African countries. Stephen was also part of the Barclays plc EMEA CIB executive committee. He serves as a member of the World Economic Forum, represented on the Global Agenda Council (GAC) on Values as well as serving on the GAC committee on the Future of Banking," the company explains.

MTN plans to leverage van Collar's experience to enhance its participation within the enterprise sector , financial services, media and entertainment.

Brett Goschen departure

According to MTN, Brett Goschen, the Group CFO, will be leaving the company effective 30 September 2016, to pursue other interests.

Gunter Engling, currently CEO of MTN Rwanda, will assume position of Acting Group CFO until a permanent replacement is announced.

"He was responsible for the management and coordination of all statutory accounting and reporting to all stakeholders, including the Group Audit committee and the Board. Gunter has also held the positions of General Manager Finance of MTN Nigeria and CFO of MTN Ghana. Gunter has extensive knowledge and understanding of MTN Group's financial matters, workings and stewardship and will have the benefit of a close working relationship with Brett until his departure at the end of September 2016," the company has stated.

MTN is confident that the process of reviewing its capacity, resources, governance and management structures will be substantially completed by year end and will leave the Group well positioned to successfully face a highly competitive environment and take advantage of new opportunities.