Didier Lombard, former CEO of France Teleom, has left his role as special advisor to current Chairman and CEO Stephane Richard.
Lombard, who pushed through a series of changes at FT, had been CEO when the telco suffered a number of suicides amongst its workforce. He stepped down from the CEO role last year.
Clearly referencing that time, Lombard said in a statement that he deeply regretted the “suffering and incomprehension” that had resulted from the direction the telco had taken over the past few years. Lombard also said that he thought that the Group had taken the right decisions in “this fast-changing environment”. He hoped that the Group would be able to move forward “with calmness and serenity.”
Message from Didier Lombard:
”I have decided today to give up my role as Special Adviser, which was offered to me when I handed over my mandate as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and to leave the company. I have taken this decision in the best interests of France Telecom, a company to which I have consecrated the best part of my professional career.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all employees of France Telecom who have contributed to the development of a healthy, dynamic Group that has a rich future ahead. In this fast-changing environment, I am convinced that the direction that the Group has taken over the past few years is the right one. I deeply regret the suffering and the incomprehension that resulted from this inevitable need for change.
I now hope that the Group will be able to move forward with calmness and serenity, pursuing its development both in France and internationally, under the direction of Stéphane Richard.”