Cell C has appointed El Kope as chief financial officer and executive director on the Cell C board.

Cell C, a South African mobile operator, has appointed El Kope as CFO and executive director of finance, after Lerato Pule, who resigned in August.

El Kope, a chartered accountant, joined Cell C in September 2022 as the executive director of financial planning analysis.

Cell stated that her performance in that position led her to take over as Acting CFO following Pule's departure, who has now joined Liquid South Africa in the same capacity.

"This strategic move reinforces Cell C's commitment to excellence and financial leadership, harvesting from their internal top talent pool," the company added.

According to Cell C, El displayed ‘exceptional leadership’, strategic foresight, and financial acumen throughout her tenure as Acting CFO, with her quick actions considerably improving governance, stabilising the finance department, and strengthening connections with crucial stakeholders.

The incoming CFO has previously worked with major organisations such as DHL, Coca-Cola Africa, and SA Breweries.

Cell C CEO Jorge Mendes, commented: “El has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic financial and business acumen, and I cannot be more pleased about her well-deserved appointment. I look forward to her ongoing contribution as we drive our growth and reposition Cell C for long-term sustainability.”

Kope responded to the appointment with, "I am looking forward to being a part of our collective success."

Her appointment comes as Cell C has in recent months strengthened its executive, substantial leadership changes in order to move the company towards speedier development and long-term performance, according to Cell C.

Zia Sadik, who was formerly in charge of customer value management, was recently been promoted to the newly created post of executive head: growth and retentions.

Denver Alwar was also been named as Cell C's new executive director of regional operations.

Prior to that, Mendes, who has been gathering a team to help him turn the mobile operator profitable since his appointment, had hired Melanie Forbes, a 25-year marketing veteran, to assist him in rebuilding the brand.

Prior to that, Rachael Ayo-Oladejo, a former Airtel Nigeria employee, was named chief of staff for strategy and business transformation.