Vivek Sood appointed Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone

Press release
Fornebu
4 minute read
Grameenphone Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Vivek Sood (47) as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Vivek Sood will succeed Mr. Tore Johnsen (65) and take up his position from 7 January 2013.
“The Board of Directors is very pleased to appoint Mr. Vivek Sood as Grameenphone’s new CEO. I am confident that his experience from one of the world’s most competitive mobile markets will benefit Grameenphone in further developing its position as the country’s leading mobile operator,” said Sigve Brekke, Executive Vice President of Telenor Group, and Chairman of the Board of Grameenphone.

Mr. Vivek Sood comes from the position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Indian mobile operator Uninor. With more than 42 million subscribers, Uninor is one of the fastest growing mobile operators in India. As CFO of Uninor, Mr .Sood was responsible for setting performance measures and achieving financial goals. His 22 year of experience also include executive positions in companies like Tata AIG life Insurance, Hutchison Telecom, Tupperware India and Hindustan Lever Limited (Unilever).

“Throughout my career I have always been driven by a hunger and passion to build business. I am therefore delighted and pleased to be offered the opportunity to head Grameenphone, the leading telecom operator in Bangladesh, and one of the country’s most recognized brands. I look forward to working with the employees in developing the company further to benefit customers, employees and the Bangladeshi community,” said Vivek Sood, appointed CEO of Grameenphone.

Vivek Sood will succeed Tore Johnsen who has served as CEO of Grameenphone since March 2011. As part of a planned operational move when reaching his retirement age (65), Tore Johnsen will extend his significant career by taking up new challenges as Senior Vice President at the Telenor Group region Asia office in Bangkok. Mr. Tore Johnsen has vast and extensive experience from heading mobile operations in 4 different Asian markets – Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan and Bangladesh. With his comprehensive experience, Mr. Johnsen represents a strong and knowledgeable capability that will benefit Telenor Group’s continued development in the Asian region.

“The Board of Directors would like to thank Tore Johnsen for his dedication to Grameenphone. Under his leadership the company has continued its good performance, secured renewed licenses for 15 more years of operation, and made significant progress towards the vision of “Digital Bangladesh” by bringing internet to masses, especially youth segment and students,” said Sigve Brekke.

“I feel privileged and honored for my time as CEO of Grameenphone. During my tenure I have had the experience of working with a competent management team and very talented employees. Together we have developed Grameenphone as a customer centric company that is highly competitive and ideally positioned for future growth. I wish Vivek all the best,” said Tore Johnsen.

A photo of Mr. Sood may be downloaded here

Contacts:
Glenn Mandelid, Telenor Asa, tlf.: +66 824401122, email: glenn.mandelid@www.www.telenor.com
Tor Odland, Vice President, Group Communications, Mobile: +47 9909 0872, E-mail: tor.odland@www.www.telenor.com