KPN has created a new Chief Technology and Digital Officer role and appointed the CTIO of MTN Group to lead its technology, systems and network infrastructure operations.
Babak Fouladi will join the operator on 4 December and will report to KPN CEO Maximo Ibarra.
In a statement, the operator said Fouladi “has a proven track record in technology and the telecommunications industry”.
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Before joining MTN in 2016, Fouladi was Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone’s Spain and Romania opcos. He was also Ericsson’s Director for IT Development and VP for Multimedia and System Integration in the UK, and VP for Systems Integration in Russia for the vendor.
He previously held senior roles at 3UK, lastminute.com, Oracle and The World Bank.
Fouladi was appointed along with former ABN AMRO executive Hilde Garssen, who joins as Chief People Officer. Tom Poelhekken formerly held the Chief Technology Officer role at KPN but the operator did not specify what he will be doing next.
Maximo Ibarra said: “We are excited to welcome Hilde and Babak to KPN. I am confident that their extensive track record in technology, networks and people management, and their leadership, strategic, and operational expertise will drive fresh thinking.
“Their expertise is of a great value as we continue to attract, develop and retain a talented and diverse workforce to support the evolving needs of our company. This creates a solid foundation to accelerate the successful execution of our strategy.”