All articles by Joe Purnell – Page 28
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone FY23−24 Highlights: foundation stones in place, growth ‘in our hands’
After taking a sledgehammer to the Group’s European footprint; initiating a shared services, Germany, and CX overhaul; and working to establish an ROCE-mindset, CEO Margherita Della Valle says the year represents a good start to her mandate. More to be done, of course, and much of this FY was spent laying foundation stones, but slimmed-down Vodafone intends to leverage agility to scale in fewer, ‘better’ markets, underpinned by a revamped commercial model…
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone FY23−24 In-depth: re-shaped Group smaller but ‘stronger’
Changing footprint makes for some massive cuts to revenue, but what is left of the Group manages growth on organic terms.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone FY23−24 Spend: UK drops to bronze as Africa becomes runner-up
An inflated Africa group, now including Vodafone Egypt, tips the capex allocation balance as Germany retains the lion’s share and Turkey takes the place of Italy and Spain.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone FY23−24 Guidance: muted optimism extends to forecasts
CEO Della Valle continued a trend of paring back and tempering expectations in uninspiring guidance figures.
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PeoplewatchVodafoneZiggo appoints Sky’s van Rooyen as new CEO
Stephen van Rooyen named CEO at Vodafone−Liberty joint venture, set to join in September.
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Financial & PerformanceNew EE must wait five years to be rid of Old BT
New CEO Allison Kirkby re-confirms Jansen/Allera New EE strategy, but BT brand to limp on in Consumer at least until PSTN shutdown, with Plusnet retained as broadband b-brand. ARPU is up, but multiplay elusive as ever, subscribers still being lost, still far from walking the talk. Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceBT Business gets UK exceptionalism vibe, with Global ops on chopping block
New CEO Allison Kirkby mulls further ‘optimisation’ opportunities in latest bid to turn around long-beleaguered B2B activities. Much-lauded new network-as-a-service proposition Global Fabric may be retained as partner play. Domestic rump not obviously a better bet, however…
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Analyst BriefingBTwatch Weekly: Kirkby gathers transformation troops, but can she convince investors?
Latest from BT and its ecosystem the day before the Group’s FY23–24 results hit the screens. CEO Allison Kirkby is corralling a new squadron of incomers to drive forward her flavour of transformation for BT, but investors so far appear unconvinced. Spectrum auctions may be imminent, as real estate redevelopment nears completion, and a revitalised Corporate & Public Sector team boast a West Country win. Read more…
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M&AVodafone earns regulatory go-ahead for Spanish retreat
Vodafone Spain sale to Zegona Communications to complete by the end of the month, with share buyback programme already underway.
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Financial & PerformanceVodafone CFO open to another Vantage Towers sell-down
Luka Mucic uses Group’s FY23−24 earnings call to tease further Vantage Towers sell-down, pitching TowerCo disposal as evidence of value-creating potential for new Vodafone Investments division. Exposure has been reduced in India, while VodafoneZiggo will stay in the family…
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OperationsOpenreach opens ‘snazzy’ new City HQ
BT’s access services business has moved its HQ to a new site in London, closing out a tenure at ‘tired’ King’s Cross offices.
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch Weekly: cost of Ethiopian expansion laid bare; another twist in M&A tale
Latest from Vodafone, affiliates and partners: Group earns security clearance for UK merger; Ethiopia optimism reiterated despite financial reality check; and TowerCo Inwit braces for reshaped Italian market following MNO reshuffle. More from South Africa, Spain, Netherlands, elsewhere…
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M&AVodafone−Three welcome deal’s security clearance as focus turns to antitrust
UK government green-lights merger (with caveats) after conducting security review, but Vodafone−Three are far from celebrating as the CMA’s investigation steps up a gear and leaves consolidation in doubt…
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PeoplewatchBT Peoplewatch: as Kirkby ups the transformational ante, ex-CEO Patterson goes boardroom ‘goliath’
40+ senior/strategic appointments across BT Group, including: new CEO Allison Kirkby making mark with more transformation-focused imports; ex-CEO Gavin Patterson makes it boardroom berth number-eight; and major changes at revamped BT Business. Fibre build remains priority at Openreach, while Consumer beds in fresh device and marketing leadership. Read more…
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Financial & PerformanceUK’s Digital 9 reshapes boardroom, weighs Arqiva options as wind-down progresses
Former Bank of Scotland exec Eric Sanderson named Chair to lead wind-down process, with one or more other Non-Execs to be added in near future. Steps made in asset sale but future of Arqiva stake not yet decided.
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PeoplewatchBT adds transformation expertise to board, seeks out ‘operational resilience’
Ex-Barclays finance chief Tushar Morzaria appointed to BT Board of Directors, with Chairman Adam Crozier lauding ‘corporate change’ specialism and adding further transformation expertise to the BT boardroom.
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Analyst BriefingBTwatch Weekly: BT adds to concerns about Vodafone−Three UK merger, EE Finance gets Patterson’s Glow
Latest from BT and its ecosystem of partners and suppliers in a week where the UK’s competition authority revealed the level of concern it has about Vodafone UK’s proposed merger with Three — with BT’s networks found to be one potential flashpoint. EE continues retail revamp; Etc. ignites EV charging trial; and Business advances its Portfolio makeover…
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Analyst BriefingVodafonewatch Weekly: ups and downs in Group’s network-sharing tie-ups and M&A; RAN mega-tender KO
Latest from Vodafone and its ecosystem, including: commencement of massive RAN tender; regional network-sharing in Australia; and UK merger with Three competition concerns mount. Elsewhere: Vodafone Business seeks role in edge compute innovation; Vodacom Tanzania facing legal action; and more consolidation prospects in the Netherlands and Spain explored…
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InterviewBrace for ‘AI tidal wave’: Kao Data urges UK data centre step change
Next-gen specialist discusses Manchester Data Centre of the North investment sweetspot, need to prep for AI-fuelled tsunami of demand (nowhere in Europe ready). Read more…
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M&AMerged Vodafone−Three ‘incentivised and able’ to ‘frustrate’, ‘harm’ BT — CMA
Merger-critical Competition & Markets Authority investigation is damning on logic and impact of combination, dubious of benefits. Network-sharing joint venture MBNL is at heart of concerns and may become a focus for any forthcoming ‘remedies’. Read more…