Vodafone Malta names new CEO

Balesh Sharma is expected to formally take up his position as from the 1^st of February, 2011.

With over 20 years experience in multinational companies across India, Balesh Sharma is a proven change leader who excels in challenging, competitive market environments.

Balesh Sharma is an inspiring and highly energized leader with a demonstrable track record of financial success and operational leadership. Balesh Sharma has been associated with the telecoms industry for the past 15 years, ever since the inception of Mobile telephony in India. He has been working with Vodafone for the past 7 years and his last post was as Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Gujarat, which is the largest and most profitable license operation for Vodafone India.

During Balesh Sharma’s stint in Gujarat, he has overseen a growth of Vodafone subscriber base from 2 million to 13 million, adding almost 3.5 million in 2010. Similarly revenue tripled in the same period from about €150 million per annum to €460 million.

Previously, Balesh Sharma worked for Vodafone in Delhi and Bangalore markets, BPL Mobile, Ricoh and Xerox and has also vast experience in technology start-ups.

“I am looking forward to taking up this new post in Malta because I look at my appointment as another step in developing Vodafone Malta’s capabilities and its position in the local market. As a passionate team player I believe that the top management task is to bring together a great team and ensure an energized work environment for them to deliver their best, and this is precisely what I intend to focus on,” sustained Balesh Sharma.

As CEO of Vodafone Malta, Balesh Sharma will play an important role in Vodafone Malta’s growth and expansion to continue providing its customers with the highest quality products and the best service to meet their needs.

“2011 will mark another step in Vodafone Malta’s direction,” stated Inaki Berroeta, outgoing CEO of Vodafone Malta, “with his vast experience in this industry Balesh Sharma will help Vodafone Malta develop further its capabilities, to continue offering our customers best-in-class products and services and contributing to the communities we operate in.”

Balesh Sharma replaced Inaki Berroeta, who has taken up the post of CEO at Vodafone Romania.