Christel Heydemann has been appointed CEO of Orange, effective April 4.
In a statement, the company says that its board has “selected a candidate who is recognised for her experience in the telecoms sector and in managing business transformations”.
It adds that “to safeguard the continuity of the group’s operations and to ensure the smoothest possible transition, the board has asked Stéphane Richard to continue as chairman & CEO until Christel Heydemann takes up her role”.
Furthermore, given the decision to separate the roles of chairman and CEO, on the new chief executive’s arrival S Richard will continue in the role of non-executive chairman until a new chairman is in post and at the latest until May 19, the date of Orange’s AGM.
Commenting on the appointment, Richard said: “I am delighted to welcome Christel Heydemann and wish her full success as CEO of Orange. Working alongside the Group’s employees, I am convinced that her personal and professional qualities will enable her to meet the challenges the future holds for the Group. Christel’s involvement as a board member and her long experience at Alcatel and then Schneider Electric means she has an excellent understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the digital future and the critical role this will play in the decades ahead. I am certain that her vision, her pragmatism and her ability to bring out the best in every situation will be of enormous value to Orange. Finally, I would also like to thank Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner and Bernard Ramanantsoa for their exemplary and rigorous work throughout the selection process in the best interests of the group”.
Heydemann, who is is currently executive VP Europe Operations and a member of the executive committee of Schneider Electric, added: “I would like to thank the Board members for their confidence. As a member of the Board for nearly five years, I have gained a solid understanding of the technological challenges and opportunities that lie before us. I know that these are significant, but it is equally a huge honour to be able to contribute to the development of one of the leading players in our industry and Orange will have my total commitment as we set about this task. I also know I can count, as my predecessor has been able to, on the dedication of all the company’s teams to see Orange through to success.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my colleagues at Schneider Electric. These past seven years building a more durable world through technological innovation have been truly exciting and have further convinced me of the central role that digital will play in the transformation of our society”.
