On 11 May 2023, Vodafone Group Plc (LON:VOD) and Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (e&) announced they had entered into a strategic relationship agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, the Group Chief Executive Officer of e&, Hatem Dowidar, would join the Vodafone Board as a Non-Executive Director, subject to receipt by e& of the required regulatory approvals.
Vodafone has announced that those regulatory approvals have been obtained and Hatem Dowidar will be joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 19 February 2024. Hatem will also be appointed as a member of the Nominations & Governance Committee with effect from the same date.
He brings 30 years of experience in multinational companies, and 24 of these have been spent in the telecommunications sector. Hatem began his career in AEG/Deutsche Aerospace (Daimler Benz Group) in Egypt, before moving into marketing at Procter & Gamble, where he held several managerial roles.
Prior to joining e&, Hatem held various leadership positions at Vodafone, including Regional Director Emerging Markets, CEO of Vodafone Egypt, CEO of Vodafone Malta, and CEO of Partner Markets, which covered Vodafone’s partnership agreements in over 45 markets around the world.
Hatem joined e& in September 2015, initially as Group Chief Operating Officer before being appointed Group CEO in 2020.
Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chair of Vodafone, said:
“I am delighted that Hatem will be joining Vodafone’s Board. He brings extensive experience within the telecommunications industry and has held senior positions across a range of companies in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. His appointment will further strengthen our strategic partnership.”
Hatem Dowidar commented:
“I look forward to joining the Board of Vodafone and working with Jean-François and my fellow Board members to support the rapid transformation being undertaken by Margherita Della Valle and the management team.”
Pursuant to Listing Rule 9.6.13R, the details of all directorships held by Hatem in any other publicly quoted company at any time in the previous five years, indicating whether or not he is still a director, is noted below. It is confirmed there are no other disclosures required in addition to this and the above information.
| External appointment to publicly quoted company: | Date of resignation, if no longer current |
| Pakistan Telecommunications Company Ltd | 22 May 2023 |
| Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily) | n/a |
| Maroc Telecom | n/a |
| BlackRock Frontiers Investment Trust Plc | n/a |
