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First European Board meeting after merger of Vodafone AirTouch and Mannesmann

20 June 2000
Group Press Releases - 2000

The newly created European Board of Vodafone AirTouch held its first meeting on 19th of June in Düsseldorf.

The prime objective of this Board is to enable the operating companies within Europe to achieve the competitive and financial advantages which are available to the enlarged group because of the unrivalled scale and scope across Europe.

The Board will drive forward the strategy of the European businesses of the Vodafone Group. The focus will be on the introduction of European products and services as well as on European brand policy. By means of closer co-operation and the sharing of best practices in the group, the target is to achieve efficiency gains on costs and purchases.

With this, Vodafone AirTouch and Mannesmann will further enhance the unmatched success of its operations in the European markets, delivering to customers best value with innovative products and services.

These goals will be achieved by combining the expertise of the Managing Directors of the key operating companies within Europe. The European Board is chaired by Julian Horn-Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the European Region and Member of the Executive Board of Vodafone Airtouch. Deputy Chairman is Thomas Geitner, Chief Operating Officer of the European Region and Member of the Executive Board of Vodafone Airtouch. Other Members of the Board are:

  • Antonio Carapatoso, Telecel (Portugal),
  • Vittorio Colao, Omnitel (Italy),
  • Georg Denoke, Telecommerce,
  • Paul Donovan, Vodafone UK,
  • George Koronias, Panafon (Greece),
  • Jürgen von Kuczkowski, Mannesmann D2 (Germany) and responsible for the Central and Eastern European Operations in Austria, Hungary, Poland and Romania,
  • Hans Kuropatwa, responsible for Greece, Malta, Netherlands and Sweden,
  • Ian Maxwell, responsible for Belgium, France, Portugal and Spain,
  • Evan Newmark, Vizzavi,
  • Jon Risfelt, Europolitan (Sweden),
  • Riccardo Ruggiero, Infostrada (Italy),
  • Harald Stöber, Mannesmann Arcor (Germany),
  • Albert Weismüller, Mannesmann AG,
  • John de Witt, Libertel (Netherlands).

    For further information contact:

    Vodafone AirTouch Plc
    Terry Barwick, Director of Corporate Affairs
    Tim Brown, Investor Relations Director
    Melissa Stimpson, Senior Investor Relations Manager
    Mike Caldwell, Corporate Communications Director
    Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 33251

    Tavistock Communications Limited
    Lulu Bridges
    Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288


    press.office@vodafone.com