Vodafone, the UK-based multinational telecommunications company, has announced the appointment of Margherita Della Valle as its new Chief Executive Officer. Della Valle, who currently serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, will succeed Nick Read on July 23, 2021, becoming the first female CEO of the company.
Della Valle, 53, joined Vodafone as Group CFO in 2018 and has been instrumental in steering the company’s strategic direction and financial performance. She has over 25 years of experience in the telecom industry, having previously served as CFO of Telecom Italia and as a member of the board of directors of several other Italian companies.
In her new role, Della Valle will be tasked with leading Vodafone through a period of significant change and uncertainty, as the company seeks to adapt to the post-pandemic landscape and navigate the ongoing challenges posed by new and emerging technologies.
One of the key areas of focus for Della Valle will be Vodafone’s 5G network rollout, which is seen as critical to the company’s future growth and success. Vodafone has been investing heavily in the development of 5G infrastructure and services, and Della Valle is expected to continue this trend, prioritizing innovation and digital transformation in all aspects of the business.
In a statement announcing her appointment, Della Valle expressed her excitement about the opportunity to lead Vodafone through this critical period in its history. “I am honored to be appointed as Vodafone’s new CEO and look forward to working with our talented team to continue driving the company forward,” she said. “We have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the momentum we have built and to further accelerate our growth and transformation in the years ahead.”
Della Valle’s appointment has been welcomed by industry analysts, who see her as a strong and capable leader who is well-suited to the challenges that Vodafone is likely to face in the coming years. “Margherita Della Valle has demonstrated exceptional financial leadership during her tenure as CFO and has been instrumental in the delivery of our strategic priorities,” said Vodafone Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee. “She has a deep understanding of the industry and the markets in which we operate, and we are confident that she will continue to drive Vodafone’s success as CEO.”
Della Valle’s appointment also marks a significant milestone for women in the telecommunications industry, which has historically been dominated by men. She is only the second woman to be appointed as CEO of a major telecoms company, following in the footsteps of Lisa Su, CEO of US-based semiconductor company AMD.
In addition to her role as CEO, Della Valle will also continue to serve as Vodafone’s CFO until a successor is appointed. Vodafone has not yet announced who will be taking over as CFO.
Overall, Della Valle’s appointment is a positive development for Vodafone and the telecoms industry as a whole, signaling a renewed focus on innovation, digital transformation, and diversity at the highest levels of leadership. As the company continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic era, Della Valle’s experience, expertise, and leadership will be critical to its success.
