Do We Have A Local Talent Like Him?

It has come as a shock to the local telecoms industry that Morten Lundal is calling it a day at DiGi.Com Bhd after four years at the helm.

Replacing him is Johan Eric Dennelind, who will take over as CEO on April 1. Dennelind, 38, is not new to DiGi as several years ago he was its chief financial officer (CFO) and chief marketing officer (CMO). He also has been CFO, CMO and deputy CEO of Telenor Sweden.

Lundal, who leaves DiGi on March 31, has accepted a senior international role at Britain’s Vodafone Group, the world's largest mobile phone company by revenue. Lundal told the board he did not want his contract extended beyond the current term.

In a statement, DiGi said it “was fortunate to get a CEO already well acquainted with the company, the staff, the customers and, of course, the Malaysian society.”

It said that “during Lundal’s tenure, DiGi’s value more than quintupled and DiGi is now one of the most admired companies in Malaysia. This aptly illustrates how well he has run the company. The board of DiGi would like to thank Lundal for his excellent contribution.”

There is no denying that Lundal has created a new culture in the company and a new way of doing business. For the year ended Dec 31, 2007, DiGi reported a 71% rise in net profit to RM805.6mil.

DiGi’s brand mascot, the Yellow Man, launched during Lundal’s tenure is a popular feature in Malaysia's cellular industry and DiGi is well known for being a trendsetter in product and price packaging.

But Lundal is leaving at a time when DiGi is about to get a 3G spectrum from Time dotCom Bhd, and the start of a new and exciting phase of development.

A tie-up with Time dotCom would also give DiGi access to a fibre-optic network that would help it enter broadband.

“Having worked with Dennelind for a long time, I am very happy to leave DiGi in his very capable hands,” Lundal said.

Perhaps it is fitting that a new face would be driving DiGi through a new phase but industry players are going to be watching Dennelind's every move as he gets into the driver's seat come April 1.
xtracted frm :Star Biz News

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