Sharad Mehrotra to head Telenor India

Norwegian telecom major Telenor Group on Monday announced changes to the structure of executive management team to represent all the 13 markets globally, in a move aimed at ensuring faster execution of the group strategy.

Telenor also announced the appointment of Vivek Sood as group executive vice president and chief marketing officer in the restructured executive management team, which reflects the group's international footprint with nine members in the new team being non-Norwegians.

Telenor, which has 189 million mobile subscriptions across 13 markets, said its India operations will be headed by Sharad Mehrotra with effect from 1 November while Rajeev Sethi will be executive vice president and CEO of Bangladesh Grameenphone operations.

Mehrotra has been chief marketing officer of Telenor Myanmar, and was part of the Telenor India management team for more than four years from 2008.

All 13 markets will be represented in the new executive management team to ensure a closer connection to the customers, Telenor group said in a statement.

"Telenor provides internet to almost 200 million subscribers and new customer needs are emerging. By more directly involving the business unit CEOs in delivering on the global strategy and priorities, we increase our ability to execute and create value," Telenor Group president and CEO Sigve Brekke said.

"Telenor stands to capture solid opportunities, as the world evolves to view connectivity as a basic necessity. We must continue our work in enabling that connectivity for all, but we also need to explore new ways to sustain growth, capture customers' attention and create value for them in their digital life," added Brekke.

Telenor Group has appointed Ruza Sabanovic as executive vice president (EVP) and chief  technology officer, Wenche Agerup as EVP and chief corporate affairs officer and Jon Gravråk as EVP and chief digital officer. Richard Aa and Jon Erik Haug will continue in their current positions as chief financial officer and chief people officer, respectively.

Pål Wien Espen will take the position as the EVP and head of partner relations Asia, while Morten Karlsen, EVP, will be responsible for Telenor's ownership in VimpelCom Ltd and drive selected strategic projects.

The chief marketing officer, the chief digital officer and the head of partner relations Asia will be based in Asia.