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Arun Sarin, Vodafone’s chief executive for the past five years is going to announce his departure from the company on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. The reins of the world’s biggest telecom company are likely to be handed over to his deputy chief executive Vittorio Calao. Mr. Sarin, who has led Vodafone since 2003, will depart in July this year. Mr. Vittorio, Arun Sarin’s number two currently runs Vodafone’s European operations.
The Indian born executive, who replaced Sir Christopher Gent as the head of Vodafone, began his career in the telecom sector twenty-five years ago. Sources close to Mr. Sarin hint that he might be eyeing a position in the world of private equity. Analysts are none the less unlikely to deny that Mr. Sarin has done much for the prosperity of the telecom giant. During his five years he has significantly turned around the prospects of Vodafone, indicating the trend that the customers are finally overcoming their reluctance to spend on more lucrative services besides merely calling and texting. Vodafone’s profits have also been surging a major reason for which is the group’s expansion in emerging markets, particularly in India with the acquisition of Hutchinson Essar last year.
