OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2015. Vodafone today announced a number of changes to its European leadership structure intended to simplify organisational processes, enhance management efficiency and accelerate decision-making. With effect from 1 October 2015, the Chief Executives of Vodafone's four largest European markets - Hannes Ametsreiter in Germany, Aldo Bisio in Italy, Jeroen Hoencamp in the UK and Antonio Coimbra in Spain - will become members of the Group Executive Committee and will report directly to the Vodafone Group Chief Executive, Vittorio Colao.

The Chief Executive of Vodafone Netherlands, Rob Shuter, will also join the Group Executive Committee and will assume additional leadership responsibilities for Vodafone's smaller European markets, reporting directly to Vittorio Colao. Corporate functions operating at regional level in Europe will be integrated within the respective Group functions. There are no changes to the leadership structure for the Group's Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific region.

Vodafone Group Chief Executive Vittorio Colao said: "These changes will simplify and streamline the management of our largest European markets and accelerate our strategic plans in those countries as convergence gathers pace and our Project Spring organic investment programme and focus on efficiency deliver visible results."

Vodafone also announced that the Chief Executive for the Europe region, Philipp Humm, will leave the Group later in the year to continue his CEO career outside Vodafone.

Vittorio Colao said: "I would like to thank Philipp for his significant contribution to Vodafone including leading the recovery in our European businesses and the strategic acquisition and integration of large fixed-line businesses in the UK, Spain and Germany. I fully understand his desire to pursue his career ambitions outside Vodafone in light of the new organisation and wish him all the best for the future."