Vodafone CEO wants his company to react more quickly

In an interview with the Financial Times, Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao says he wants the company to become faster at responding to customers’ needs and competitors’ initiatives.

Vodafone keeping Verizon stake

­Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao has said the company will hang on to its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for now, although it's open-minded about the future. He's also confirmed that the company is interested in the Nigerian market. [Source: Cellular-News.com]

Vodafone publishes half-year report

Vodafone has published its half-yearly figures (April - September 2008), which show that Group revenue is up 17.1% to £19.9 billion, data revenue is up 48.6% to £1.4 billion and European revenue is up 14.3%. Profits, however, were down 34% to £2.17 billion. Chief Executive Vittorio Colao says the company plans to improve operational performance through customer value enhancement and by cutting £1 billion of costs. [Press release]

Vodafone's Arun Sarin to retire

Vodafone has announced that Chief Executive Arun Sarin is retiring in July after five years in the role. He will be replaced by current Deputy Chief Executive Vittorio Colao. Mr Colao was appointed Chief Executive of Vodafone's European businesses and Deputy Group Chief Executive of Vodafone Group plc in October 2006. The company has also announced its annual results, with profits up 5.7% to £10.1 billion and a proportionate mobile customer base of 260 million people worldwide. [CEO press release; results press release]