All Nick Read articles
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M&AVantage back in shop window as Vodafone builds revival
M A remains a lever to help Vodafone revive growth, says CEO Read. New Chairman van Boxmeer lighting a fire under Group strategy and ambition. Another chunk of Vantage could be sold off to “ like-minded ” partner. Hint made of some UK deal-making in pipeline. ...
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Strategy & Change
Van Boxmeer gifted remit to disrupt Vodafone Board
Latest Board Evaluation calls for increased “ liveliness ” of conversations across the Group’s top table. Composition changes mooted for dozen-strong grouping brought together by former Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee. Start of TechCo strategy seen as moment to strengthen accountability of top duo Read and Della Valle. ...
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Financial & Performance
Q4 FY20–21: Vodafone Group goes off thrift script in Read ‘phase two’
FY20–21 presentation sees reins eased off investment, but to an unknown degree, and with a focus on select target areas within leadership’s comfort zone . Increasingly dominant German operations to get a capex boost, along with ever-expanding central functions. Announcement of strategy tweak falls on stony ground, ...
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Financial & Performance
Q4 FY20–21: Vodafone Group lines up for NextGenerationEU subs
Leadership pins hopes on European Union twelve-figure cash injection to breathe new life into troubled Mediterranean markets. Group prepping its own capex uplift in tandem with EU’s, but focus is primarily on German ‘safe zone’. While operator is positive on European prospects, little is offered to convince ...
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q4 FY20–21 headlines: footing regained and Group ready for climb
Top execs keen to portray Vodafone as ready for bounce-back. Top-line recovery remains Africa- and Germany-centric. Signs domination of efficiency drives may have run course and revenue base needs a boost.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q4 FY20–21 guidance: capex bill causes pushback
Group opens up with medium-term growth commitments. However, City analysts appear irked by cash flow uncertainties stemming from spend to fuel that growth.
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Interview
Vishal Dixit: MVNOs are vital to Vodafone UK growth
Conversations with potential UK MVNO partners are “ in the double digits ”. Asda Mobile and Virgin Media deals exemplify OpCo’s new approach to MVNO partnerships . OpCo moving away from a ‘computer says no’ approach to MVNOs.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone reels in €2.3bn from Vantage Towers IPO
Proceeds to pay down Group debt. IPO share price holds steady on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Financial & Performance
Q3 FY20–21: Top team turn bullish as growth returns, just
Nick Read and Margherita Della Valle claim Group set for acceleration after sneaking back into growth territory during quarter. European macro and M A questions continue to overhang claims of confidence in regional prospects, however. Amid continued talk of yet more in‑country consolidation, “ pragmatic ” Vodafone ...
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Partnerships & Alliances
German startup MOWEA seeks tailwind for Vodafone network tie-up
Startup’s relationship with Vodafone lies in German UPLIFT scheme. Vendor aiming to branch out in Germany and form relationships with other in‑country tower businesses.
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M&A
Vodafone readies cheque for Egyptian fintech players
Vodafone Egypt signs MoU for minority stakes in digital payment players Bee and Masary. New Vodafone Egypt CEO Abdallah seeks to paint deal as part of “ promising ” strategic investment plan, following Group’s failed exit.
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Strategy & Change
Vodafone centralising national tech functions for Europe platform union
In-country tech l eadership to be extracted and taken over by Group, as part of broader, homogenisation-focused regional reorg. Top Group execs in London hope move will address longstanding frustration with fragmentation and bring efficiencies and speed. Some in OpCos might continue to have other ideas… ...
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M&A
Vodafone’s Read coy on Spanish M&A possibilities
“ Pragmatic ” Vodafone will “ always examine opportunities to enhance and strengthen our business ”, says Group Chief Executive.
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Operations
Vodafone’s Read: “pre‑COVID office concept is gone”
Future Ready office pilots taking place in UK, Czechia, and Hungary. Nick Read outlines long‑term policy changes implemented in response to the pandemic, with norms changed to support a “ hybrid ” work future. Distributed, regional model to promote diversity and inclusion.
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People
Vantage Towers CEO says he’s no Vodafone lackey
Vivek Badrinath emphasises operational and strategic independence from Vodafone. CEO claims Europe is 20 years behind the USA in commercialisation of towers. Newspaper interview used to defend upcoming listing on Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
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Content & TV
Cloud-based Vodafone TV platform rolls into Germany
Platform launch is one of multiple moves in German TV revamp. Start of migration appears to be happening several months behind schedule. Rollout solidifies Group strategy for TV technology platform.
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M&A
Vodafone abandons Egypt exit talks
Long‑awaited deal falls through, with STC apparently failing to reach an agreement with minority‑owner Telecom Egypt. Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read remains philosophical after trekking to Egypt for talks with the President.
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People
Vodafone UK’s Jeffery jumps ship, and may not be last
Group loses another exec from layer below CEO Read’s increasingly thin top leadership. Home-market custodian and Read contemporary Nick Jeffery likely to have seen development opportunities limited in tightly-controlled upper echelons. Resultant vacancies in Group Operations and Strategy briefs pose a challenge in terms of introducing new ...
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People
Colao dismisses Ferrari driving seat rumours
Unexpected departure of Ferrari’s CEO sets the rumour mill in motion, with former Vodafone boss Colao mooted as one potential successor. Reports said to be baseless by source close to Colao.
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Financial & Performance
Vodafone Q2 FY20–21
Cost-cutting props up performance during COVID‑19 -hit quarter and CFO indicates she is preparing to step up efficiency plans further. Lag in delivery of leadership’s “ Phase Two ” plans, including Tech 2025 , muddying attempts to assure stakeholders of a brighter future. Lots of ...
