Evans will take over on August 1, with Dunne stepping down after more than eight years in charge
O2 CEO Ronan Dunne is step down from his role after nearly nine years in charge of the mobile operator.
He will be replaced by chief financial officer Mark Evans on August 1, with Dunne continuing to support the business until September. Evans’ replacement will be announced in due course.
O2 said the news follows Dunne’s successful completion of a strategic review of options for the UK business, which led to Telefonica’s confirmation that O2 UK will be reconsolidated within the Group.
He has been at O2 for 15 years, and took over leadership of the UK business in January, in which time he helped grow customer numbers from 18 million to 25 million.
Difficult decision
Dunne said: “The decision to reconsolidate Telefonica UK represents an important and positive milestone for the business and marks the behinning of an exciting new chapter for O2.
“O2 is a very special brand and business, which has made this an incredibly difficult decision to make. We have built an outstanding team to take the business forward and in Mark, Telefónica has chosen a colleague and leader with outstanding commercial acumen and a drive to win. I wish him, O2 and Telefónica every continued success.”
Evans (pictured right with Dunne) joined the mobile operator in January 2012 as chief financial officer, overseas O2 MVNO gifgaff, is chairman of Tesco Mobile and non-executive director of Hiscox.
He previously held senior leadership roles across the mobile industry for more than a decade, including Global Technology CFO, Vodafone Group UK and Ireland CFO, as well as chief financial controller for ntl.
Maintaining momentum
Evans said: “O2 has a track record in redefining itself to keep pace with technology change and customer demand, and has an enormous amount to offer within the evolving telecoms market.
“I’m very much looking forward to maintaining the momentum in the business and striving to make our customers the most satisfied in the UK, long into the future.”
Telefonica executive chairman José MarÃa Ãlvarez-Pallete added: “Mark’s contribution as CFO has been instrumental in delivering revenue and profit growth over the last four years and I know the business will be in good hands with him as leader.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ronan for his outstanding leadership, dedication and achievements not only as O2’s longest serving CEO but his support and contribution as a member of the group executive to Telefónica’s transformation journey.
“He has led the O2 brand to achieve great things on behalf of its customers, employees and shareholders and built a team of talent to be proud of. I wish him all the best for the future.”
