KPN names Proximus’ Dominique Leroy as CEO

Dutch telco KPN has named Proximus chief Dominique Leroy as its new CEO, replacing Maximo Ibarra, who is taking over as chief executive of Sky Italia.

Dominique Leroy

KPN said Leroy would take the helm at the Dutch telco from December 1.

Leroy has been CEO of Proximus, formerly Belgacom, since 2014, having joined the Belgian telco in 2011. She was previously managing director of Unilever BeLux.

Joost Farwerck will take on the chief exec role temporarily from October 1 until Leroy joins the company, acting as chairman of the company’s management board in addition to his current role as chief operating officer.

Leroy will remain as CEO of Proximus until she takes over at KPN, tasked with ensuring the preparation of the company’s 2020 plan and finalising the Proximus transformation plan that was announced at the start of this year.

The Proximus board said it would immediately start the procedure of searching for a new CEO.

Leroy will be paid a base salary of €935,000 at the Dutch telco along with benefiting from short and long-term incentive plans

“We are very pleased to appoint Mrs. Dominique Leroy as the new CEO of KPN. Dominique is a dynamic, customer-focused and engaging leader with a wealth of experience in the telecommunications industry. With her strong strategic, operational and communication skills, we are convinced that Dominique will be able to successfully execute on KPN’s strategy”, said KPN supervisory chairman Duco Sickinghe.

“At the end of last year KPN unveiled its 2019 – 2021 strategy, prioritising sustainable growth in the medium term. Good progress has been made to date, driven by our dedicated Board of Management and Executive management team, and executed by our colleagues throughout the firm. With Dominique at the helm, the Supervisory Board is confident that we will see further progress in the delivery of KPN’s strategy, positioning KPN for further success in the years to come. Continuing to execute against that strategy will remain KPN’s focus.”

Leroy said: “I am very excited to be nominated as the next CEO of KPN. KPN has a high-quality reputation and an excellent leadership team. I am looking forward to working with them and the wider KPN team to execute on the existing strategy and help KPN to become a premier digital services and communication provider with the customer at its heart.”