Grameenphone yesterday named Tore Johnsen as its new chief executive officer. Johnsen will take up his new position from March 1.
He will succeed Oddvar Hesjedal who has completed his tenure in Grameenphone and will move on to new responsibilities in Telenor Group.
“The board is very pleased to appoint Tore Johnsen as the new CEO. His vast knowledge from the telecom industry, combined with his extensive experience from several Asian markets will be a great benefit for the company,” said Sigve Brekke, chairman of the Board of Directors of the mobile phone service operator.
“We are confident that Tore has the right qualifications for further developing Grameenphone’s position as the leading Bangladeshi mobile operator.”
Former CEO of Thai mobile operator, Dtac, Johnsen also served Telenor Pakistan and DiGi in Malaysia as CEO.
He, a master of science, joined Telenor Group in 1974 and worked in different managerial capacities.
“I’m delighted to take over the helm of Grameenphone, one of the most admired companies in Bangladesh and the leading telecom operator. I’ll keep maintaining my forward leaning mindset here the same way I did in Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand,” said Tore Johnsen.
“I look forward to work with Grameenphone which I know is very much capable of developing its business even further.”
“The board would like to thank Hesjedal for his dedication to Grameenphone. Under his leadership the company has strengthened its position as a market leader with close to 30 million subscribers. He has also been vital in driving Grameenphone’s successful IPO (initial public offering). We wish him good luck in his future endeavors in Telenor,” added Brekke.
Hesjedal said, “In my close to three years tenure in Bangladesh I had the privilege to be a part of a consistent growth of the Bangladeshi mobile market and Grameenphone. I am grateful to all my fantastic colleagues in GP who gave me many happy moments and reasons to be proud of the GP family.”
“I wish Tore all the best in his work for the coming years, knowing it will be both challenging and rewarding.”
