Swedish cablenet Com Hem has named former Virgin Media COO Andrew Barron as its executive chairman.
Arguably one of the most experienced TV executives in Europe, Barron has previously been chief operating officer of Modern Times Group, President & CEO of Viasat Broadcasting and EVP, business development, Walt Disney Europe.
His appointment sends a signal indicating Com Hem’s TV focus, an area where it has been losing subscribers.
Barron left Virgin Media in July 2013, shortly after the acquisition by Liberty Global.
He will work with outgoing CEO Tomas Franzén in the company’s ongoing operations and seek a replacement for Franzén who is leaving the company at the end of 2014.
“It will be very exciting to begin at Com Hem as working chairman. I look forward to working together with Tomas during the next year, when we will prepare the company for a successful transition and continue to create results through growth plans,” said Barron.
Nikos Stathopoulos, current Chairman of Com Hem, will remain on the Board.
Com Hem is majority owned by the international private equity group BC Partners.
