Vodafone issued a special statement on changes in leadership for the company in Egypt, most notably the appointment of Hatem Dowidar as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Vodafone Egypt. He will also be assuming a leadership position in Vodafone Group on an international level, in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia region, which includes several important markets for Vodafone Group. Dowidar will also be a member of the board of directors for Vodacom (Vodafone South Africa). Hatem Dowidar has led Vodafone Egypt for a five-year period which has been the most difficult in the history of the telecommunications sector in the Egyptian market, facing major challenges and unprecedented changes. Dowidar managed the company during this period with skill, achieving great success on account of the work of him and his team at Vodafone. It is noteworthy that Vodafone Egypt remains one of the most successful markets for Vodafone Group in the world. The company leads the Egyptian mobile market in terms of number of subscribers and performance rates, and for the fifth consecutive year has received the title "best place to work among private sector companies," according to global statistics. The company's statement also indicated they have decided to appoint Ahmed Essam as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for Vodafone Egypt, succeeding Hatem Dowidar once he assumes his new position in July 2014. Ahmed Essam joined Vodafone in 1999 and began his career in sales and distribution. He rose to leadership positions in the customer service sector and later the commercial sector, achieving great success and a breakthrough in the manner services are provided to customers. Essam developed work strategies that enabled him to be a promising leader in Vodafone Group and allowed him to assume leadership positions. He was appointed in 2012 as General Manager for the commercial sector for emerging markets and then in 2012 as General Manager for the entire commercial sector in Vodafone to exploit his experience in developing strategies and marketing plans for numerous Vodafone markets worldwide. This contributed to improved business performance in these markets at unprecedented rates. Essam was the first Egyptian in Vodafone Group to hold this position. The Board of Directors of Vodafone Egypt wishes every success to Hatem Dowidar in his new position and affirms its support for Ahmed Essam in his duties as the CEO and Managing Director of Vodafone Egypt, and hopes for the continued success and development of Vodafone Egypt.
