Another executive shake-up at MTN SA
South Africa
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12 Jan 2022
MTN SA has announced two new appointments to its executive leadership. Michele Gamberini is to take up position as the company’s new Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) effective 1 February 2022, while Megan Nicholas will serve as MD of MTN Supersonic, the network provider’s fibre and broadband ISP, effective 01 January 2022.
According to a statement released to the media, Gamberini joins MTN from Telecom Italia (TIM Group) where he gained 25 years of experience across the business at TIM Italy and most recently in the position of Global Group CTIO.
“Having worked in Italy, Spain, Greece and supported Brazilian technological choices, Gamberini had the unique experience of preparing the network evolution ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He holds a master’s degree in electronics engineering,” reads an excerpt from the statement.
MTN SA’s CEO Charles Molapisi said, “MTN SA has established itself as the benchmark for what network quality should be while also driving massive and compelling enhancements in the IT space. As we work toward our Ambition2025 strategy which is anchored on building the largest and most valuable platform business, I believe that Gamberini’s wealth of experience will have a notable contribution towards enhancing our technology functions as well as providing a network that is second to none to all South Africans.”
Commenting on his appointment, Gamberini says: “I am delighted to be joining such a high-performing business and a team within the technology and information systems environment that have proven themselves to be amongst the best in the world.”
“I am most looking forward to continuing and growing the exceptional work the MTN network team has delivered over the years,” Gamberini added.
Supersonic takes aim at residential market
The company added that as current General Manager for Residential at MTN South Africa, Nicholas’s internal appointment “is a strategic move from MTN to ensure continuous customer growth in the residential market, of which MTN aspires to own 30% market share across all technologies by 2025.
“Residential broadband delivery is a critical strategic focus, as we work to bring our superior network and service into more of our customer’s homes. This battle for the home market needs a leader of Megan’s caliber, expertise and experience,” says Molapisi.
“As part of our ongoing commitment to grow our Supersonic business in this ever-changing environment, we consider this appointment as one of the strategic levers. Megan’s extensive experience across the broadband sector is recognised as a vital driver to achieve our growth ambitions in this highly innovative space.”
The operator added that with a career spanning a number of blue-chip organisations, across multiple mobile networks, Nicholas has the relevant industry, commercial and operational expertise to further strengthen the Supersonic business. Coupled with a proven track-record in the design and executing of business strategies, she seeks to challenge the market ‘status quo’, and thereby increase the overall profitability of our complete Residential portfolio.
“I am very excited to be leading the execution against our 2025 strategy to ‘own the home’, and I believe that Supersonic is an important contributor to achieving that ambition,” said Nicholas.
“With Megan’s strong determination and dedication, and her ability to build high-performance teams, we are confident that her leadership will not only boost the performance of our Supersonic business, but also move us even closer to realising our ambition and vision.” concludes Molapisi.
Leadership change
In December 2021 ITWeb reported on MTN SA’s announcement that its then CEO Godfrey Motsa would be stepping down in January 2022, with Molapisi to replace him.
ITWeb quoted a statement from the operator: ““MTN remains on track to deliver on our Ambition 2025 strategy, with a focus on accelerating growth, deleveraging the holding company debt faster and unlocking value. In support of the continued and accelerated delivery of Ambition 2025, we announce an evolution in the group’s management as well as exco structure and responsibilities.”
According to the report, the changes will also see Mazen Mroue (currently chief operations officer of MTN Nigeria) assume the role of group CTIO effective from 1 February 2022, taking over from Mola.