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PLDT president and CEO Nazareno to retire end-2015

Chrisee Dela Paz

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PLDT president and CEO Nazareno to retire end-2015
(UPDATED) PLDT announces a 2nd organizational shakeup, with chairman Pangilinan becoming PLDT and Smart president and CEO

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) — Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) — for the second time this year — announced major changes in management, with the retirement of the president and chief executive officer and some senior management appointments effective 2016.

PLDT on Tuesday, December 1, told the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) that Napoleon Nazareno will retire as president and CEO of PLDT and Smart Communications, Incorporated on December 31, 2015.

“Nazareno was due for mandatory retirement in 2014, but was requested by the PLDT’s Board of Directors to stay on for another year to launch the group’s digital transformation program and work on a succession plan,” PLDT said in a disclosure.

Nazareno will remain in the board of directors of PLDT until a replacement is appointed. 
PLDT said Nazareno will still be a non-executive director of PLDT’s parent company, First Pacific Company Limited and a member of the Board of Directors of Rocket Internet.

“We are indeed grateful for Polly’s (Nazareno) many years of service as president and CEO of PLDT. Under his leadership, PLDT and Smart achieved unprecedented success in becoming the country’s leading telecommunications companies. Polly led the transformation of the landline business from an overwhelmingly voice-driven service to a broadband data-powered business,” PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

“This formidable task required not only converting PLDT’s legacy landline system into an all-Internet protocol next generation network but, more importantly, reinvigorating the structure and culture of PLDT into a much more market-driven, customer-centric organization,” the PLDT chairman added.

Pangilinan praised Nazareno for leading “Smart’s successful climb from third player to market leader, as far back as 2006, a position that the company maintains to this day.”

Nazareno was also instrumental in restructuring Piltel’s debts in 2001, the largest debt restructuring in the country that was done on a consensual basis. 

“He oversaw the integration of both Piltel and Digitel with Smart, ensuring that the expanded organization sustained its position as the foremost wireless service provider,” Pangilinan said.

Pangillinan will assume the position of PLDT and Smart President and CEO.

With the guidance of the Board’s Governance and Nominations Committee (GNC), PLDT said Pangilinan will assume and manage the search for a new president and CEO of PLDT – a process initiated by Nazareno in 2014.

Pangilinan said in a press conference in Pasig City on Tuesday that his group “prefers someone who is exposed in the digital sphere and to promote someone from inside.”

“Clearly, early part next year, GNC will recommend. But, we’re not in a hurry. I will be involved in the process,” the PLDT chairman said.

Second organizational shakeup

Following a board meeting Tuesday, December 1, PLDT also announced major changes in management as it undergoes a transition phase, wherein the growth of new businesses continues to outgrow the pace of its legacy segment.

PLDT said the following senior management appointments will be effective January 1 next year.

  • Katrina Luna-Abelarde takes on the role of the head of the Wireless Consumer Operations, overseeing marketing, sales and operations, including product development, analytics, customer care, and credit and collection.
  • Oscar Reyes Jr assumes the position of head of the PLDT Home Operations, overseeing marketing, sales and operations, including product development, analytics, customer care, and credit and collection.

Both Luna-Abelarde and Reyes will report directly to Ariel Fermin, the head of PLDT Consumer Division.

Under PLDT Enterprise Division, headed by Eric Alberto, a senior management appointment was made:

  • Albert Mitchell Locsin will become the head of SME Business, replacing Luna-Abelarde.

Meanwhile, PLDT chief strategy adviser Winston Damarillo will spearhead the acceleration of digital platform and delivery initiatives to improve the consumer experience. PLDT Capital has been established to serve as an innovation gateway between Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and the Philippines.

For PLDT’s Digital Innovation Unit for New Businesses, Duane Williams has been named Voyager Group chief financial officer. 

Williams has worked with SAP, Boston Consulting, and has had extensive experience in Silicon Valley. Jun Calica remains as chief financial officer for Voyager Philippines, reporting to Duane.

These appointments serve to reinforce the previous changes announced in April 2015.

PLDT said all the changes are being made to accelerate the digital transformation and enhance the technological capabilities of the group. – Rappler.com

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