Tele2 is undergoing a series of changes since Iliad Group indirectly became its largest shareholder in October
It seems Yogesh Malik (pictured) has abruptly left his role as CTIO of the European network operator Tele2 which has opcos in Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Ove Wik, who is head of digital capabilities and technology for Sweden, has stepped in as acting CTIO.
Tele2 says that after more than three years with the company, Malik had completed what he set out to do – oversee the operator’s 5G deployment and IT migration.
Malik’s departure is viewed as part of the shake up after a shift in ownership at Tele2. The French telecoms concern, Iliad Group, became its largest stakeholder with 19.8% in October having completed a three-transaction deal via Freya Investment and NJJ Holdings. The former investment vehicle is controlled by the Iliad Group. The stake was acquired from Kinnevik.
The Iliad Group itself is controlled by the French telecom tycoon, Xavier Niel. In August Iliad claimed to be Europe’s fifth largest operator group by subscribers.
Musical chairs
Iliad’s long-serving CEO, Thomas Reynaud, is now Chair of the Tele2 group and Jean Marc Harion become CEO of Tele2 earlier this month. Formerly, he was CEO of Iliad’s opco in Poland, Play, and replaced outgoing CEO Kjell Johnsen who had announced his intention to leave company in September.
In a short statement, Harion thanked Malik for his “important contribution” to Tele2 since joining the company in 2021. He continued, “His knowledge and experience have been crucial during these years of change and transformation.
Before joining Tele2, Malik was Group CTO at VEON and sat on its executive board for almost six and a half years. Prior to joining VEON, he was the CEO of Telenor India (Uninor). He has held senior roles in Europe, North and South America, China and South Asia. No doubt he’ll resurface in another one in due course.