Vodafone reported to be considering restructuring

Vodafone Group is reportedly mulling a re-organisation, following the departure of Michel Combes, its European CEO to join French integrated operator SFR.

According to Bloomberg, the restructure could set out the succession candidates for the top job at the group, although incumbent Vittorio Colao has not so far made any indication he plans to step down.

Among the options suggested was a split of the European region into two, integrating its more developed markets into one unit, with its emerging Turkey, Central and Eastern Europe businesses forming a second.

The report noted that Colao had identified an issue with the classification of Turkey, which while “clearly an engine for growth,” falls between the “sophisticated” western European businesses and its emerging markets operations.

Names mooted for promotion included Paolo Bertoluzzo, who runs Vodafone Italy, and Serpil Timuray, head of Vodafone Turkey.

Also in the frame is former Safaricom boss Michael Joseph, who is now director of global payments for the group.