Michel Combes’ exit package from Alcatel-Lucent raises eyebrows

Michel Combes has been appointed COO of cable-to-mobile group Altice and chairman of its mobile subsidiary Numericable SFR, but has also come under fire in France following reports that he will receive almost €14 million (US$15.6 million) in stock by 2018 for his services to Alcatel-Lucent.

The exiting chief is widely renowned for turning around the fortunes of the struggling French vendor when taking on the job in 2013, as well as masterminding the company’s €15.6 billion sale to Nokia, which led to his departure.